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diff --git a/19018.txt b/19018.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f69d26 --- /dev/null +++ b/19018.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4660 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Henrik Ibsen's Prose Dramas Vol III., by Henrik Ibsen + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Henrik Ibsen's Prose Dramas Vol III. + +Author: Henrik Ibsen + +Release Date: August 10, 2006 [EBook #19018] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HENRIK IBSEN'S PROSE DRAMAS *** + + + + +Produced by Douglas Levy + + + + + + +HENRIK IBSEN'S PROSE DRAMAS, VOL. III + +LADY INGER OF OSTRAT, Translation by Charles Archer + + + + +LADY INGER OF OSTRAT (1855.) + + +CHARACTERS. + +LADY INGER OTTISDAUGHTER ROMER, widow of High Steward Nils Gyldenlove. +ELINA GYLDENLOVE, her daughter. +NILS LYKKE, Danish knight and councilor. +OLAF SKAKTAVL, an outlawed Norwegian noble. +NILS STENSSON. +JENS BIELKE, Swedish commander. +BIORN, major-domo at Ostrat. +FINN, a servant. +EINAR HUK, bailiff at Ostrat. +Servants, peasants, and Swedish men-at-arms. + + + The action takes place at Ostrat Manor, on the Trondhiem Fiord, + the year 1528. + + +[PRONUNCIATION of NAMES.--Ostrat=Ostrot; Inger=Ingher (g nearly as +in "ringer"); Gyldenlove=Ghyldenlove; Elina (Norwegian, Eline)= +Eleena; Stennson=Staynson; Biorn=Byorn; Jens Bielke=Yens Byelke; +Huk=Hook. The final e's and the o's pronounced much as in German.] + + +Producer's Notes: + +1. Diacritical Marks in Characters' names: + + Romer, umlaut (diaresis) above the "o" + Ostrat, umlaut above the "O", ring above the "a" + Gyldenlove, umlaut above the "o" + Biorn, umlaut above the "o" + +2. All the text inside parentheses in the original is printed in + italics, save for the characters' names. I've eliminated the + usual markings indicating _italics_ for the sake of readability. + --D. L. + + + + + +LADY INGER OF OSTRAT + +DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS. + + + +ACT FIRST. + + +(A room at Ostrat. Through an open door in the back, the Banquet + Hall is seen in faint moonlight, which shines fitfully through + a deep bow-window in the opposite wall. To the right, an entrance- + door; further forward, a curtained window. On the left, a door + leading to the inner rooms; further forward a large, open fireplace, + which casts a glow over the room. It is a stormy evening.) + +(BIORN and FINN are sitting by the fireplace. The latter is occupied + in polishing a helmet. Several pieces of armour lie near them, + along with a sword and shield.) + + + FINN (after a pause). Who was Knut* Alfson? + + * Pronounce _Knoot_. + + BIORN. My Lady says he was the last of Norway's knighthood. + + FINN. And the Danes killed him at Oslo-fiord? + + BIORN. Ask any child of five, if you know not that. + + FINN. So Knut Alfson was the last of our knighthood? And now +he's dead and gone! (Holds up the helmet.) Well then, hang thou +scoured and bright in the Banquet Hall; for what art thou now +but an empty nut-shell? The kernel--the worms have eaten that many +a winter agone. + What say you, Biorn--may not one call Norway's land an empty nut- +shell, even like the helmet here; bright without, worm-eaten within? + + BIORN. Hold your peace, and mind your work!--Is the helmet ready? + + FINN. It shines like silver in the moonlight. + + BIORN. Then put it by.---- ---- See here; scrape the rust off +the sword. + + FINN (turning the sword over and examining it). Is it worth +while? + + BIORN. What mean you? + + FINN. The edge is gone. + + BIORN. What's that to you? Give it me.---- ---- Here, take +the shield. + + FINN (as before). There's no grip to it! + + BIORN (mutters). If once I got a grip on _you_---- + + (FINN hums to himself for a while.) + + BIORN. What now? + + FINN. An empty helmet, an edgeless sword, a shield without a +grip--there's the whole glory for you. I see not that any can +blame Lady Inger for leaving such weapons to hang scoured and +polished on the walls, instead of rusting them in Danish blood. + + BIORN. Folly! Is there not peace in the land? + + FINN. Peace? Ay, when the peasant has shot away his last arrow, +and the wolf has reft the last lamb from the fold, then is there +peace between them. But 'tis a strange friendship. Well well; +let that pass. It is fitting, as I said, that the harness hang +bright in the hall; for you know the old saw: "Call none a man +but the knightly man." Now there is no knight left in our land; +and where no man is, there must women order things; therefore---- + + BIORN. Therefore--therefore I order you to hold your foul prate! +(Rises.) + It grows late. Go hang helm and harness in the hall again. + + FINN (in a low voice). Nay, best let it be till tomorrow. + + BIORN. What, do you fear the dark? + + FINN. Not by day. And if so be I fear it at even, I am not +the only one. Ah, you look; I tell you in the housefolk's room +there is talk of many things. (Lower.) They say that night by +night a tall figure, clad in black, walks the Banquet Hall. + + BIORN. Old wives' tales! + + FINN. Ah, but they all swear 'tis true. + + BIORN. That I well believe. + + FINN. The strangest of all is that Lady Inger thinks the same---- + + BIORN (starting). Lady Inger? What does she think? + + FINN. What Lady Inger thinks no one can tell. But sure it is +that she has no rest in her. See you not how day by day she grows +thinner and paler? (Looks keenly at him.) They say she never +sleeps--and that it is because of the dark figure---- + + (While he is speaking, ELINA GYLDENLOVE has appeared in the + half-open door on the left. She stops and listens, unobserved.) + + BIORN. And you believe such follies? + + FINN. Well, half and half. There be folk, too, that read things +another way. But that is pure malice, for sure.--Hearken, Biorn-- +know you the song that is going round the country? + + BIORN. A song? + + FINN. Ay, 'tis on all folks' lips. 'Tis a shameful scurril +thing, for sure; yet it goes prettily. Just listen (sings in a +low voice): + + _Dame Inger sitteth in Ostrat fair, + She wraps her in costly furs-- + She decks her in velvet and ermine and vair, + Red gold are the beads that she twines in her hair-- + But small peace in that soul of hers. + + Dame Inger hath sold her to Denmark's lord. + She bringeth her folk 'neath the stranger's yoke-- + In guerdon whereof---- ----_ + + (BIORN enraged, seizes him by the throat. ELINA GYLDENLOVE + withdraws without having been seen.) + + BIORN. And I will send you guerdonless to the foul fiend, if +you prate of Lady Inger but one unseemly word more. + + FINN (breaking from his grasp). Why--did _I_ make the song? + + (The blast of a horn is heard from the right.) + + BIORN. Hush--what is that? + + FINN. A horn. So we are to have guests to-night. + + BIORN (at the window). They are opening the gate. I hear the +clatter of hoofs in the courtyard. It must be a knight. + + FINN. A knight? A knight can it scarce be. + + BIORN. Why not? + + FINN. You said it yourself: the last of our knighthood is dead +and gone. (Goes out to the right.) + + BIORN. The accursed knave, with his prying and peering! What +avails all my striving to hide and hush things? They whisper of +her even now----; ere long will all men be clamouring for---- + + ELINA (comes in again through the door on the left; looks round +her, and says with suppressed emotion). Are you alone, Biorn? + + BIORN. Is it you, Mistress Elina? + + ELINA. Come, Biorn, tell me one of your stories; I know you +have more to tell than those that---- + + BIORN. A story? Now--so late in the evening----? + + ELINA. If you count from the time when it grew dark at Ostrat, +it is late indeed. + + BIORN. What ails you? Has aught crossed you? You seem so +restless. + + ELINA. May be so. + + BIORN. There is something the matter. I have hardly known you +this half year past. + + ELINA. Bethink you: this half year past my dearest sister Lucia +has been sleeping in the vault below. + + BIORN. That is not all, Mistress Elina--it is not that alone +that makes you now thoughtful and white and silent, now restless +and ill at ease, as you are to-night. + + ELINA. You think so? And wherefore not? Was she not gentle +and pure and fair as a summer night? Biorn, I tell you, Lucia was +dear to me as my life. Have you forgotten how many a time, as +children, we sat on your knee in the winter evenings? You sang +songs to us, and told us tales---- + + BIORN. Ay, then your were blithe and gay. + + ELINA. Ah, then, Biorn! Then I lived a glorious life in the +fable-land of my own imaginings. Can it be that the sea-strand +was naked then as now? If it were so, I did not know it. It was +there I loved to go, weaving all my fair romances; my heroes came +from afar and sailed again across the sea; I lived in their midst, +and set forth with them when they sailed away. (Sinks on a chair.) +Now I feel so faint and weary; I can live no longer in my tales. +They are only--tales. (Rises hastily.) Biorn, do you know what +has made me sick? A truth; a hateful, hateful truth, that gnaws +me day and night. + + BIORN. What mean you? + + ELINA. Do you remember how sometimes you would give us good +counsel and wise saws? Sister Lucia followed them; but I--ah, +well-a-day! + + BIORN (consoling her). Well, well----! + + ELINA. I know it--I was proud and self-centred! In all our +games, I would still be the Queen, because I was the tallest, the +fairest, the wisest! I know it! + + BIORN. That is true. + + ELINA. Once you took me by the hand and looked earnestly at me, +and said: "Be not proud of your fairness, or your wisdom; but be +proud as the mountain eagle as often as you think: I am Inger +Gyldenlove's daughter!" + + BIORN. And was it not matter enough for pride? + + ELINA. You told me so often enough, Biorn! Oh, you told me so +many tales in those days. (Presses his hand.) Thanks for them +all! Now, tell me one more; it might make me light of heart again, +as of old. + + BIORN. You are a child no longer. + + ELINA. Nay, indeed! But let me dream that I am.--Come, tell on! + + (Throws herself into a chair. BIORN sits in the chimney-corner.) + + BIORN. Once upon a time there was a high-born knight---- + + ELINA (who has been listening restlessly in the direction of the +hall, seizes his arm and breaks out in a vehement whisper). Hush! +No need to shout so loud; I can hear well! + + BIORN (more softly). Once upon a time there was a high-born +knight, of whom there went the strange report---- + + (ELINA half-rises and listens in anxious suspense in the + direction of the hall.) + + BIORN. Mistress Elina, what ails you? + + ELINA (sits down again). Me? Nothing. Go on. + + BIORN. Well, as I was saying, when he did but look straight in +a woman's eyes, never could she forget it after; her thoughts must +follow him wherever he went, and she must waste away with sorrow. + + ELINA. I have heard that tale---- ---- And, moreover, 'tis no +tale you are telling, for the knight you speak of is Nils Lykke, +who sits even now in the Council of Denmark---- + + BIORN. May be so. + + ELINA. Well, let it pass--go on! + + BIORN. Now it happened once---- + + ELINA (rises suddenly). Hush; be still! + + BIORN. What now? What is the matter? + + ELINA. It _is_ there! Yes, by the cross of Christ it _is_ +there! + + BIORN (rises). What is there? Where? + + ELINA. It is she--in the hall. (Goes hastily towards the hall.) + + BIORN (following). How can you think----? Mistress Elina, go +to your chamber! + + ELINA. Hush; stand still! Do not move; do not let her see you! +Wait--the moon is coming out. Can you not see the black-robed +figure----? + + BIORN. By all the holy----! + + ELINA. Do you see--she turns Knut Alfson's picture to the wall. +Ha-ha; be sure it looks her too straight in the eyes! + + BIORN. Mistress Elina, hear me! + + ELINA (going back towards the fireplace). Now I know what I +know! + + BIORN (to himself). Then it is true! + + ELINA. Who was it, Biorn? Who was it? + + BIORN. You saw as plainly as I. + + ELINA. Well? Whom did I see? + + BIORN. You saw your mother. + + ELINA (half to herself). Night after night I have heard her +steps in there. I have heard her whispering and moaning like a +soul in pain. And what says the song---- Ah, now I know! Now +I know that---- + + BIORN. Hush! + + (LADY INGER GYLDENLOVE enters rapidly from the hall, without + noticing the others; she goes to the window, draws the + curtain, and gazes out as if watching for some one on the + high road; after a while, she turns and goes slowly back + into the hall.) + + ELINA (softly, following her with her eyes). White as a corpse----! + + (An uproar of many voices is heard outside the door on the right.) + + BIORN. What can this be? + + ELINA. Go out and see what is amiss. + + (EINAR HUK, the bailiff, appears in the ante-room, with a crowd + of Retainers and Peasants.) + + EINAR HUK (in the doorway). Straight in to her! And see you +lose not heart! + + BIORN. What do you seek? + + EINAR HUK. Lady Inger herself. + + BIORN. Lady Inger? So late? + + EINAR HUK. Late, but time enough, I wot. + + THE PEASANTS. Yes, yes; she must hear us now! + + (The whole rabble crowds into the room. At the same moment, + LADY INGER appears in the doorway of the hall. A sudden + silence.) + + LADY INGER. What would you with me? + + EINAR HUK. We sought you, noble lady, to---- + + LADY INGER. Well, speak out! + + EINAR HUK. Why, we are not ashamed of our errand. In one word, +we come to pray you for weapons and leave---- + + LADY INGER. Weapons and leave----? And for what? + + EINAR HUK. There has come a rumour from Sweden that the people +of the Dales have risen against King Gustav---- + + LADY INGER. The people of the Dales? + + EINAR HUK. Ay, so the tidings run, and they seem sure enough. + + LADY INGER. Well, if it were so, what have you to do with the +Dale-folk's rising? + + THE PEASANTS. We will join them! We will help! We will free +ourselves! + + LADY INGER (aside). Can the time be come? + + EINAR HUK. From all our borderlands the peasants are pouring +across to the Dales. Even outlaws that have wandered for years +in the mountains are venturing down to the homesteads again, and +drawing men together, and whetting their rusty swords. + + LADY INGER (after a pause). Tell me, men, have you thought +well of this? Have you counted the cost, if King Gustav's men +should win? + + BIORN (softly and imploringly to LADY INGER). Count the cost +to the Danes if King Gustav's men should lose. + + LADY INGER (evasively). That reckoning is not for me to make. +(Turns to the people). + You know that King Gustav is sure of help from Denmark. King +Frederick is his friend, and will never leave him in the lurch---- + + EINAR HUK. But if the people were now to rise all over Norway's +land?--if we all rose as one man, nobles and peasants together?-- +ay, Lady Inger Gyldenlove, the time we have waited for is surely +come. We have but to rise now to drive the strangers from the land. + + THE PEASANTS. Ay, out with the Danish sheriffs! Out with the +foreign masters! Out with the Councillors' lackeys! + + LADY INGER (aside). Ah, there is metal in them; and yet, yet----! + + BIORN (to himself). She is of two minds. (To ELINA.) What +say you now, Mistress Elina--have you not sinned in misjudging +your mother? + + ELINA. Biorn, if my eyes have deceived me, I could tear them out +of my head! + + EINAR HUK. See you not, my noble lady, King Gustav must be dealt +with first. Once his power is gone, the Danes cannot long hold +this land---- + + LADY INGER. And then? + + EINAR HUK. Then we shall be free. We shall have no more foreign +masters, and can choose ourselves a king, as the Swedes have done +before us. + + LADY INGER (with animation). A king for ourselves. Are you +thinking of the Sture stock? + + EINAR HUK. King Christiern and others after him have swept bare +our ancient houses. The best of our nobles are outlaws on the hill- +paths, if so be they still live; nevertheless, it might still be +possible to find one or other shoot of the old stems---- + + LADY INGER (hastily). Enough, Einar Huk, enough! (To herself.) +Ah, my dearest hope! (Turns to the Peasants and Retainers.) + I have warned you, now, as well as I can. I have told you how +great is the risk you run. But if you are fixed in your purpose, +it were folly of me to forbid what I have no power to prevent. + + EINAR HUK. Then we have your leave to----? + + LADY INGER. You have your own firm will; take counsel with that. +If it be as you say, that you are daily harassed and oppressed---- +---- I know but little of these matters, and would not know more. +What can I, a lonely woman----? Even if you were to plunder the +Banquet Hall--and there's many a good weapon on the walls--you are +the masters at Ostrat to-night. You must do as seems good to you. +Good-night! + + (Loud cries of joy from the multitude. Candles are lighted; + the retainers bring weapons of different kinds from the hall.) + + BIORN (seizes LADY INGER'S hand as she is going). Thanks, my +noble and high-souled mistress! I, that have known you from +childhood up--I have never doubted you. + + LADY INGER. Hush, Biorn. It is a dangerous game that I have +ventured this night. The others stake only their lives; but I, +trust me, a thousandfold more! + + BIORN. How mean you? Do you fear for your power and your favour +with----? + + LADY INGER. My power? O God in Heaven! + + A RETAINER (comes from the hall with a large sword). See, here's +a real good wolf's-tooth to flay the blood-suckers' lackeys with! + + EINAR HUK. 'Tis too good for such as you. Look, here is the +shaft of Sten Sture's* lance; hang the breastplate upon it, and +we shall have the noblest standard heart can desire. + + * Pronounce _Stayn Stoore_ [umlaut above "e"--D. L.]. + + FINN (comes from the door on the left, with a letter in his hand, +and goes towards LADY INGER). I have sought you through all the +house. + + LADY INGER. What do you want? + + FINN (hands her the letter). A messenger is come from Trondhiem +with a letter for you. + + LADY INGER. Let me see! (opening the letter). From Trondhiem? +What can it be? (Runs through the letter.) Help, Christ! From +him! and here in Norway---- + + (Reads on with strong emotion, while the men go on bringing out + arms from the hall.) + + LADY INGER (to herself). He is coming here. He is coming to- +night!--Ay, then 'tis with our wits we must fight, not with the +sword. + + EINAR HUK. Enough, enough, good fellows; we are well armed now, +and can set forth on our way. + + LADY INGER (with a sudden change of tone). No man shall leave +my house to-night! + + EINAR HUK. But the wind is fair, noble lady; we can sail up the +fiord, and---- + + LADY INGER. It shall be as I have said. + + EINAR HUK. Are we to wait till to-morrow, then? + + LADY INGER. Till to-morrow, and longer still. No armed man +shall go forth from Ostrat yet awhile. + + (Signs of displeasure from the crowd.) + + SOME OF THE PEASANTS. We will go all the same, Lady Inger! + + THE CRY SPREADS. Yes, yes; we _will_ go! + + LADY INGER (advancing a step towards them). Who dares to move? + (A silence. After a moment's pause, she adds:) + I have thought for you. What do you common folk know of the +country's needs? How dare you judge of such things? You must +even bear your oppressions and burdens yet awhile. Why murmur +at that, when you see that we, your leaders, are as ill bested +as you?---- ---- Take all the weapons back to the hall. You +shall know my further will hereafter. Go! + + (The Retainers take back the arms, and the whole crowd then + withdraws by the door on the right.) + + ELINA (softly to BIORN). Do you still think I have sinned in +misjudging--the Lady of Ostrat? + + LADY INGER (beckons to BIORN, and says). Have a guest chamber +ready. + + BIORN. It is well, Lady Inger! + + LADY INGER. And let the gate stand open to all that knock. + + BIORN. But----? + + LADY INGER. The gate open! + + BIORN. The gate open. (Goes out to the right.) + + LADY INGER (to ELINA, who has already reached the door on the +left). Stay here!---- ---- Elina--my child--I have something +to say to you alone. + + ELINA. I hear you. + + LADY INGER. Elina---- ----you think evil of your mother. + + ELINA. I think, to my sorrow, what your deeds have forced me +to think. + + LADY INGER. You answer out of the bitterness of your heart. + + ELINA. Who has filled my heart with bitterness? From my childhood +I have been wont to look up to you as a great and high-souled woman. +It was in your likeness I pictured the women we read of in the +chronicles and the Book of Heroes. I thought the Lord God himself +had set his seal on your brow, and marked you out as the leader of +the helpless and the oppressed. Knights and nobles sang your praise +in the feast-hall, and the peasants, far and near, called you the +country's pillar and its hope. All thought that through you the +good times were to come again! All thought that through you a new +day was to dawn over the land! The night is still here; and I no +longer know if I dare look for any morning to come through you. + + LADY INGER. It is easy to see whence you have learnt such +venomous words. You have let yourself give ear to what the +thoughtless rabble mutters and murmurs about things it can little +judge of. + + ELINA. "Truth is in the people's mouth," was your word when they +praised you in speech and song. + + LADY INGER. May be so. But if indeed I had chosen to sit here +idle, though it was my part to act--do you not think that such +a choice were burden enough for me, without your adding to its +weight? + + ELINA. The weight I add to your burden bears on me as heavily +as on you. Lightly and freely I drew the breath of life, so long +as I had you to believe in. For my pride is my life; and well had +it become me, if you had remained what once you were. + + LADY INGER. And what proves to you I have not? Elina, how can +you know so surely that you are not doing your mother wrong? + + ELINA (vehemently). Oh, that I were! + + LADY INGER. Peace! You have no right to call your mother to +account---- With a single word I could---- ----; but it would be +an ill word for you to hear; you must await what time shall bring; +may be that---- + + ELINA (turns to go). Sleep well, my mother! + + LADY INGER (hesitates). Nay, stay with me; I have still somewhat-- +Come nearer;--you must hear me, Elina! + + (Sits down by the table in front of the window.) + + ELINA. I am listening. + + LADY INGER. For as silent as you are, I know well that you often +long to be gone from here. Ostrat is too lonely and lifeless for +you. + + ELINA. Do you wonder at that, my mother? + + LADY INGER. It rests with you whether all this shall henceforth +be changed. + + ELINA. How so? + + LADY INGER. Listen.--I look for a guest to-night. + + ELINA (comes nearer). A guest? + + LADY INGER. A stranger, who must remain a stranger to all. None +must know whence he comes or whither he goes. + + ELINA (throws herself, with a cry of joy, at her mother's feet +and seizes her hands). My mother! My mother! Forgive me, if you +can, all the wrong I have done you! + + LADY INGER. What do you mean? Elina, I do not understand you. + + ELINA. Then they were all deceived! You are still true at heart! + + LADY INGER. Rise, rise and tell me---- + + ELINA. Do you think I do not know who the stranger is? + + LADY INGER. You know? And yet----? + + ELINA. Do you think the gates of Ostrat shut so close that never +a whisper of evil tidings can slip through? Do you think I do not +know that the heir of many a noble line wanders outlawed, without +rest or shelter, while Danish masters lord it in the home of their +fathers? + + LADY INGER. And what then? + + ELINA. I know well that many a high-born knight is hunted through +the woods like a hungry wolf. No hearth has he to rest by, no bread +to eat---- + + LADY INGER (coldly). Enough! Now I understand you. + + ELINA (continuing). And that is why the gates of Ostrat must +stand open by night! That is why he must remain a stranger to all, +this guest of whom none must know whence he comes or whither he +goes! You are setting at naught the harsh decree that forbids +you to harbour or succor the exiles---- + + LADY INGER. Enough, I say! + (After a short silence, adds with an effort:) + You mistake, Elina--it is no outlaw that I look for---- + + ELINA (rises). Then I have understood you ill indeed. + + LADY INGER. Listen to me, my child; but think as you listen; +if indeed you can tame that wild spirit of yours. + + ELINA. I am tame, till you have spoken. + + LADY INGER. Then hear what I have to say--I have sought, so far +as lay in my power, to keep you in ignorance of all our griefs and +miseries. What could it avail to fill your young heart with wrath +and care? It is not weeping and wailing of women that can free us +from our evil lot; we need the courage and strength of men. + + ELINA. Who has told you that, when courage and strength are +indeed needed, I shall be found wanting? + + LADY INGER. Hush, child;--I might take you at your word. + + ELINA. How mean you, my mother? + + LADY INGER. I might call on you for both; I might----; but let +me say my say out first. + Know then that the time seems now to be drawing nigh, towards +which the Danish Council have been working for many a year--the +time for them to strike a final blow at our rights and our freedom. +Therefore must we now---- + + ELINA (eagerly). Throw off the yoke, my mother? + + LADY INGER. No; we must gain breathing-time. The Council is +now sitting in Copenhagen, considering how best to aim the blow. +Most of them are said to hold that there can be no end to dissensions +till Norway and Denmark are one; for if we should still have our +rights as a free land when the time comes to choose the next king, +it is most like that the feud will break out openly. Now the Danish +Councillors would hinder this---- + + ELINA. Ay, they would hinder it----! But are we to endure such +things? Are we to look on quietly while----? + + LADY INGER. No, we will not endure it. But to take up arms--to +begin open warfare--what would come of that, so long as we are not +united? And were we ever less united in this land than we are even +now?--No, if aught is to be done, it must be done secretly and in +silence. Even as I said, we must have time to draw breath. In the +South, a good part of the nobles are for the Dane; but here in the +North they are still in doubt. Therefore King Frederick has sent +hither one of his most trusted councillors, to assure himself with +his own eyes how we stand affected. + + ELINA (anxiously). Well--and then----? + + LADY INGER. He is the guest I look for to-night. + + ELINA. He comes here? And to-night? + + LADY INGER. He reached Trondhiem yesterday by a trading ship. +Word has just been brought that he is coming to visit me; he may +be here within the hour. + + ELINA. Have you not thought, my mother, how it will endanger +your fame thus to receive the Danish envoy? Do not the people +already regard you with distrustful eyes? How can you hope that, +when the time comes, they will let you rule and guide them, if +it be known---- + + LADY INGER. Fear not. All this I have fully weighed; but there +is no danger. His errand in Norway is a secret; he has come unknown +to Trondhiem, and unknown shall he be our guest at Ostrat. + + ELINA. And the name of this Danish lord----? + + LADY INGER. It sounds well, Elina; Denmark has scarce a nobler +name. + + ELINA. But what do you propose then? I cannot yet grasp your +meaning. + + LADY INGER. You will soon understand.--Since we cannot trample +on the serpent, we must bind him. + + ELINA. Take heed that he burst not your bonds. + + LADY INGER. It rests with you to tighten them as you will. + + ELINA. With me? + + LADY INGER. I have long seen that Ostrat is as a cage to you. +The young falcon chafes behind the iron bars. + + ELINA. My wings are clipped. Even if you set me free--it would +avail me little. + + LADY INGER. Your wings are not clipped, except by your own will. + + ELINA. Will? My will is in your hands. Be what you once were, +and I too---- + + LADY INGER. Enough, enough. Hear what remains---- It would +scarce break your heart to leave Ostrat? + + ELINA. Maybe not, my mother! + + LADY INGER. You told me once, that you lived your happiest life +in tales and histories. What if that life were to be yours once +more? + + ELINA. What mean you? + + LADY INGER. Elina--if a mighty noble were now to come and lead +you to his castle, where you should find damsels and pages, silken +robes and lofty halls awaiting you? + + ELINA. A noble, you say? + + LADY INGER. A noble. + + ELINA (more softly). And the Danish envoy comes here to-night? + + LADY INGER. To-night. + + ELINA. If so be, then I fear to read the meaning of your words. + + LADY INGER. There is nought to fear if you misread them not. Be +sure it is far from my thought to put force upon you. You shall +choose for yourself in this matter, and follow your own counsel. + + ELINA (comes a step nearer). Have you heard the story of the +mother that drove across the hills by night with her little children +by her in the sledge? The wolves were on her track; it was life +or death with her;--and one by one she cast out her little ones, +to gain time and save herself. + + LADY INGER. Nursery tales! A mother would tear the heart from +her breast, before she would cast her child to the wolves! + + ELINA. Were I not my mother's daughter, I would say you were +right. But you are like that mother; one by one you have cast out +your daughters to the wolves. The eldest went first. Five years +ago Merete* went forth from Ostrat; now she dwells in Bergen +and is Vinzents Lunge's** wife. But think you she is happy as +the Danish noble's lady? Vinzents Lunge is mighty, well-nigh as +a king; Merete has damsels and pages, silken robes and lofty halls; +but the day has no sunshine for her, and the night no rest; for +she has never loved him. He came hither and he wooed her; for she +was the greatest heiress in Norway, and he needed to gain a footing +in the land. I know it; I know it well! Merete bowed to your +will; she went with the stranger lord.--But what has it cost her? +More tears than a mother should wish to answer for at the day of +reckoning. + + * Pronounce _Mayrayte_ ** Pronounce _Loonghe_. + + LADY INGER. I know my reckoning, and I fear it not. + + ELINA. Your reckoning ends not here. Where is Lucia, your second +child? + + LADY INGER. Ask God, who took her. + + ELINA. It is you I ask; it is you that must answer for her young +life. She was glad as a bird in spring when she sailed from Ostrat +to be Merete's guest. A year passed, and she stood in this room +once more; but her cheeks were white, and death had gnawed deep into +her breast. Ah, you wonder at me, my mother! You thought that the +ugly secret was buried with her;--but she told me all. A courtly +knight had won her heart. He would have wedded her. You knew that +her honour was at stake; yet your will never bent--and your child +had to die. You see, I know all! + + LADY INGER. All? Then she told you his name? + + ELINA. His name? No; his name she did not tell me. His name +was a torturing horror to her;--she never uttered it. + + LADY INGER (relieved, to herself). Ah, then you do _not_ know +all---- ---- + Elina--it is true that the whole of this matter was well known +to me. But there is one thing about it you seem not to have noted. +The lord whom Lucia met in Bergen was a Dane---- + + ELINA. That too I know. + + LADY INGER. And his love was a lie. With guile and soft speeches +he had ensnared her. + + ELINA. I know it; but nevertheless she loved him; and had you +had a mother's heart, your daughter's honour had been more to you +than all. + + LADY INGER. Not more than her happiness. Do you think that, +with Merete's lot before my eyes, I could sacrifice my second +child to a man that loved her not? + + ELINA. Cunning words may befool many, but they befool not me---- + Think not I know nothing of all that is passing in our land. +I understand your counsels but too well. I know well that our +Danish lords have no true friend in you. It may be that you hate +them; but your fear them too. When you gave Merete to Vinzents +Lunge the Danes held the mastery on all sides throughout our land. +Three years later, when you forbade Lucia to wed the man she had +given her life to, though he had deceived her,--things were far +different then. The King's Danish governors had shamefully misused +the common people, and you thought it not wise to link yourself +still more closely to the foreign tyrants. + And what have you done to avenge her that had to die so young? +You have done nothing. Well then, I will act in your stead; I +will avenge all the shame they have brought upon our people and +our house. + + LADY INGER. You? What will you do? + + ELINA. I shall go _my_ way, even as you go yours. What I shall +do I myself know not; but I feel within me the strength to dare +all for our righteous cause. + + LADY INGER. Then you have a hard fight before you. I once +promised as you do now--and my hair has grown grey under the burden +of that promise. + + ELINA. Good-night! Your guest will soon be here, and at that +meeting I should be out of place. + It may be there is yet time for you---- ----; well, God +strengthen you and guide your way! Forget not that the eyes of +many thousands are fixed upon you. Think on Merete, weeping late +and early over her wasted life. Think on Lucia, sleeping in her +black coffin. + And one thing more. Forget not that in the game you play this +night, your stake is your last child. + + (Goes out to the left.) + + LADY INGER (looks after her awhile). My last child? You know +not how true was that word---- ---- But the stake is not my child +only. God help me, I am playing to-night for the whole of Norway's +land. + Ah--is not that some one riding through the gateway? (Listens +at the window.) + No; not yet. Only the wind; it blows cold as the grave---- ---- + Has God a right to do this?--To make me a woman--and then to lay +a man's duty upon my shoulders? + For I _have_ the welfare of the country in my hands. It _is_ in +my power to make them rise as one man. They look to _me_ for the +signal; and if I give it not now---- it may never be given. + To delay? To sacrifice the many for the sake of one?--Were it +not better if I could---- ----? No, no, no--I _will_ not! I +_cannot!_ (Steals a glance towards the Banquet Hall, but turns +away again as if in dread, and whispers:) + I can see them in there now. Pale spectres--dead ancestors-- +fallen kinsfolk.--Ah, those eyes that pierce me from every corner! +(Makes a backward gesture with her hand, and cries:) + Sten Sture! Knut Alfson! Olaf Skaktavl! Back--back!--I _cannot_ +do this! + + (A STRANGER, strongly built, and with grizzled hair and beard, + has entered from the Banquet Hall. He is dressed in a torn + lambskin tunic; his weapons are rusty.) + + THE STRANGER (stops in the doorway, and says in a low voice). +Hail to you, Inger Gyldenlove! + + LADY INGER (turns with a scream). Ah, Christ in heaven save me! + + (Falls back into a chair. The STRANGER stands gazing at her, + motionless, leaning on his sword.) + + + +ACT SECOND. + + +(The room at Ostrat, as in the first Act.) + +(LADY INGER GYLDENLOVE is seated at the table on the right, by the + window. OLAF SKAKTAVL is standing a little way from her. Their + faces show that they have been engaged in an animated discussion.) + + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. For the last time, Inger Gyldenlove--you are not +to be moved from your purpose? + + LADY INGER. I can do nought else. And my counsel to you is: +do as I do. If it be heaven's will that Norway perish utterly, +perish it must, for all we may do to save it. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. And think you I can content myself with words +like these? Shall I sit and look quietly on, now that the hour +is come? Do you forget the reckoning I have to pay? They have +robbed me of my lands, and parcelled them out among themselves. +My son, my only child, the last of my race, they have slaughtered +like a dog. Myself they have outlawed and forced to lurk by forest +and fell these twenty years.--Once and again have folk whispered +of my death; but this I believe, that they shall not lay me beneath +the earth before I have seen my vengeance. + + LADY INGER. Then is there a long life before you. What would +you do? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Do? How should I know what I will do? It has +never been my part to plot and plan. That is where you must help +me. You have the wit for that. I have but my sword and my two arms. + + LADY INGER. Your sword is rusted, Olaf Skaktavl! All the swords +in Norway are rusted. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. That is doubtless why some folk fight only with +their tongues.--Inger Gyldenlove--great is the change in you. Time +was when the heart of a man beat in your breast. + + LADY INGER. Put me not in mind of what was. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. 'Tis for that alone I am here. You _shall_ hear +me, even if---- + + LADY INGER. Be it so then; but be brief; for--I must say it-- +this is no place of safety for you. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ostrat is no place of safety for an outlaw? +That I have long known. But you forget that an outlaw is unsafe +wheresoever he may wander. + + LADY INGER. Speak then; I will not hinder you. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. It is nigh on thirty years now since first I +saw you. It was at Akershus* in the house of Knut Alfson and +his wife. You were scarce more than a child then; yet you were +bold as the soaring falcon, and wild and headstrong too at times. +Many were the wooers around you. I too held you dear--dear as +no woman before or since. But you cared for nothing, thought of +nothing, save your country's evil case and its great need. + + * Pronounce _Ahkers-hoos_. + + LADY INGER. I counted but fifteen summers then--remember that. +And was it not as though a frenzy had seized us all in those days? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Call it what you will; but one thing I know--even +the old and sober men among us doubted not that it was written in +the counsels of the Lord that you were she who should break our +thraldom and win us all our rights again. And more: you yourself +then thought as we did. + + LADY INGER. It was a sinful thought, Olaf Skaktavl. It was my +proud heart, and not the Lord's call, that spoke in me. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. You could have been the chosen one had you but +willed it. You came of the noblest blood in Norway; power and +riches were at your feet; and you had an ear for the cries of +anguish--then!---- ---- + Do you remember that afternoon when Henrik Krummedike and the +Danish fleet anchored off Akershus? The captains of the fleet +offered terms of settlement, and, trusting to the safe-conduct, +Knut Alfson rowed on board. Three hours later, we bore him through +the castle gate---- + + LADY INGER. A corpse; a corpse! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. The best heart in Norway burst, when Krummedike's +hirelings struck him down. Methinks I still can see the long +procession that passed into the banquet-hall, heavily, two by two. +There he lay on his bier, white as a spring cloud, with the axe- +cleft in his brow. I may safely say that the boldest men in Norway +were gathered there that night. Lady Margrete stood by her dead +husband's head, and we swore as one man to venture lands and life +to avenge this last misdeed and all that had gone before.-- Inger +Gyldenlove,--who was it that burst through the circle of men? A +maiden--then almost a child--with fire in her eyes and her voice +half choked with tears.-- What was it she swore? Shall I repeat +your words? + + LADY INGER. And how did the others keep their promise? I speak +not of you, Olaf Skaktavl, but of your friends, all our Norwegian +nobles? Not one of them, in all these years, has had the courage +to be a man; and yet they lay it to my charge that I am a woman. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. I know what you would say. Why have they bent +to the yoke, and not defied the tyrants to the last? 'Tis but +too true; there is base metal enough in our noble houses nowadays. +But had they held together--who knows what might have been? And +you could have held them together, for before you all had bowed. + + LADY INGER. My answer were easy enough, but it would scarce +content you. So let us leave speaking of what cannot be changed. +Tell me rather what has brought you to Ostrat. Do you need harbour? +Well, I will try to hide you. If you would have aught else, speak +out; you shall find me ready---- + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. For twenty years have I been homeless. In the +mountains of Jaemteland my hair has grown grey. My dwelling has +been with wolves and bears.--You see, Lady Inger--_I_ need you +not; but both nobles and people stand in sore need of you. + + LADY INGER. The old burden. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ay, it sounds but ill in your ears, I know; yet +hear it you must for all that. In brief, then: I come from Sweden: +troubles are at hand: the Dales are ready to rise. + + LADY INGER. I know it. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Peter Kanzler is with us--secretly, you understand. + + LADY INGER (starting). Peter Kanzler? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. It is he that has sent me to Ostrat. + + LADY INGER (rises). Peter Kanzler, say you? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. He himself;--but mayhap you no longer know him? + + LADY INGER (half to herself). Only too well!--But tell me, I +pray you,--what message do you bring? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. When the rumour of the rising reached the border +mountains, where I then was, I set off at once into Sweden. 'Twas +not hard to guess that Peter Kanzler had a finger in the game. I +sought him out and offered to stand by him;--he knew me of old, as +you know, and knew that he could trust me; so he has sent me hither. + + LADY INGER (impatiently). Yes yes,--he sent you hither to----? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (with secrecy). Lady Inger--a stranger comes to +Ostrat to-night. + + LADY INGER (surprised). What? Know you that----? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Assuredly I know it. I know all. 'Twas to meet +him that Peter Kanzler sent me hither. + + LADY INGER. To meet him? Impossible, Olaf Skaktavl,--impossible! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. 'Tis as I tell you. If he be not already come, +he will soon---- + + LADY INGER. Yes, I know; but---- + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Then you know of his coming? + + LADY INGER. Ay, surely. He sent me a message. That was why +they opened to you as soon as you knocked. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (listens). Hush!--some one is riding along the +road. (Goes to the window.) They are opening the gate. + + LADY INGER (looks out). It is a knight and his attendant. They +are dismounting in the courtyard. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Then it is he. His name? + + LADY INGER. You know not his name? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Peter Kanzler refused to tell it me. He would +only say that I should find him at Ostrat the third evening after +Martinmas---- + + LADY INGER. Ay; even to-night. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. He was to bring letters with him, and from them, +and from you, I was to learn who he is. + + LADY INGER. Then let me lead you to your chamber. You have +need of rest and refreshment. You shall soon have speech with +the stranger. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Well, be it as you will. (Both go out to the left.) + + (After a short pause, FINN enters cautiously through the door + on the right, looks round the room, and peeps into the Banquet + Hall; he then goes back to the door, and makes a sign to some + one outside. Immediately after, enter COUNCILLOR NILS LYKKE + and the Swedish Commander, JENS BIELKE.) + + NILS LYKKE (softly). No one? + + FINN (in the same tone). No one, master! + + NILS LYKKE. And we may depend on you in all things? + + FINN. The commandant in Trondhiem has ever given me a name for +trustiness. + + NILS LYKKE. It is well; he has said as much to me. First +of all, then--has there come any stranger to Ostrat to-night, +before us? + + FINN. Ay; a stranger came an hour since. + + NILS LYKKE (softly, to JENS BIELKE). He is here. (Turns again +to FINN.) Would you know him again? Have you seen him? + + FINN. Nay, none have seen him, that I know, but the gatekeeper. +He was brought at once to Lady Inger, and she---- + + NILS LYKKE. Well? What of her? He is not gone again already? + + FINN. No; but it seems she keeps him hidden in one of her own +rooms; for---- + + NILS LYKKE. It is well. + + JENS BIELKE (whispers). Then the first thing is to put a guard +on the gate; then we are sure of him. + + NILS LYKKE (with a smile). Hm! (To FINN.) Tell me--is there +any way of leaving the castle but by the gate? Gape not at me so! +I mean--can one escape from Ostrat unseen, while the castle gate +is shut? + + FINN. Nay, that I know not. 'Tis true they talk of secret ways +in the vaults beneath; but no one knows them save Lady Inger--and +mayhap Mistress Elina. + + JENS BIELKE. The devil! + + NILS LYKKE. It is well. You may go. + + FINN. And should you need me in aught again, you have but to +open the second door on the right in the Banquet Hall, and I shall +presently be at hand. + + NILS LYKKE. Good. (Points to the entrance-door. FINN goes out.) + + JENS BIELKE. Now, by my soul, dear friend and brother--this +campaign is like to end but scurvily for both of us. + + NILS LYKKE (with a smile). Oh--not for me, I hope. + + JENS BIELKE. Not? First of all, there is small honour to be +got in hunting an overgrown whelp like this Nils Sture. Are we +to think him mad or in his sober senses after the pranks he has +played? First he breeds bad blood among the peasants; promises +them help and all their hearts can desire;--and then, when it +comes to the pinch, off he runs to hide behind a petticoat! + Moreover, to tell the truth, I repent that I followed your +counsel and went not my own way. + + NILS LYKKE (aside). Your repentance comes somewhat late, my +brother. + + JENS BIELKE. Look you, I have never loved digging at a badger's +earth. I look for quite other sport. Here have I ridden all the +way from the Jaemteland with my horsemen, and have got me a warrant +from the Trondhiem commandant to search for the rebel wheresoever I +please. All his tracks point towards Ostrat---- + + NILS LYKKE. He _is_ here! He _is_ here, I tell you! + + JENS BIELKE. If that were so, should we not have found the gate +barred and well guarded? Would that we had; then could I have +found use for my men-at-arms---- + + NILS LYKKE. But instead, the gate is opened for us in hospitality. +Mark now--if Inger Gyldenlove's fame belie her not, I warrant she +will not let her guests lack for either meat or drink. + + JENS BIELKE. Ay, to turn us aside from our errand! And what +wild whim was that of yours to persuade me to leave my horsemen +a good mile from the castle? Had we come in force---- + + NILS LYKKE. She had made us none the less welcome for that. But +mark well that then our coming had made a stir. The peasants round +about had held it for an outrage against Lady Inger; she had risen +high in their favour once more--and with that, look you, we were ill +served. + + JENS BIELKE. May be so. But what am I to do now? Count Sture +is in Ostrat, you say. Ay, but how does that profit me? Be sure +Lady Inger Gyldenlove has as many hiding-places as the fox, and +more than one outlet to them. We two can go snuffing about here +alone as long as we please. I would the devil had the whole affair! + + NILS LYKKE. Well, then, my friend--if you like not the turn your +errand has taken, you have but to leave the field to me. + + JENS BIELKE. To you? What will you do? + + NILS LYKKE. Caution and cunning may here do more than could be +achieved by force of arms.--And to say truth, Captain Jens Bielke-- +something of the sort has been in my mind ever since we met in +Trondhiem yesterday. + + JENS BIELKE. Was that why you persuaded me to leave the men +at arms? + + NILS LYKKE. Both your purpose at Ostrat and mine could best be +served without them; and so---- + + JENS BIELKE. The foul fiend seize you--I had almost said! And +me to boot! Might I not have known that there is guile in all +your dealings? + + NILS LYKKE. Be sure I shall need all my guile here, if I am to +face my foe with even weapons. And let me tell you 'tis of the +utmost moment to me that I acquit me of my mission secretly and +well. You must know that when I set forth I was scarce in favour +with my lord the King. He held me in suspicion; though I dare +swear I have served him as well as any man could, in more than +one ticklish charge. + + JENS BIELKE. That you may safely boast. God and all men know +you for the craftiest devil in all the three kingdoms. + + NILS LYKKE. You flatter! But after all, 'tis not much to say. +Now this present errand I hold for the crowning proof of my policy; +for here I have to outwit a woman---- + + JENS BIELKE. Ha-ha-ha! In that art you have long since given + crowning proofs of your skill, dear brother. Think you we + in Sweden know not the song-- + + _Fair maidens a-many they sigh and they pine; + "Ah God, that Nils Lykke were mine, mine, mine!_" + + NILS LYKKE. Alas, it is women of twenty and thereabouts that +ditty speaks of. Lady Inger Gyldenlove is nigh on fifty, and wily +to boot beyond all women. It will be no light matter to overcome +her. But it must be done--at any cost. If I succeed in winning +certain advantages over her that the King has long desired, I can +reckon on the embassy to France next spring. You know that I spent +three years at the University in Paris? My whole soul is bent on +coming thither again, most of all if I can appear in lofty place, +a king's ambassador.--Well, then--is it agreed?--do you leave Lady +Inger to me? Remember--when you were last at Court in Copenhagen, +I made way for you with more than one fair lady---- + + JENS BIELKE. Nay, truly now--that generosity cost you little; +one and all of them were at your beck and call. But let that pass; +now that I have begun amiss in this matter, I had as lief that you +should take it on your shoulders. One thing, though, you must +promise--if the young Count Sture be in Ostrat, you will deliver +him into my hands, dead or alive! + + NILS LYKKE. You shall have him all alive. I, at any rate, mean +not to kill him. But now you must ride back and join your people. +Keep guard on the road. Should I mark aught that mislikes me, you +shall know it forthwith. + + JENS BIELKE. Good, good. But how am I to get out? + + NILS LYKKE. The fellow that brought us in will show the way. +But go quietly. + + JENS BIELKE. Of course, of course. Well--good fortune to you! + + NILS LYKKE. Fortune has never failed me in a war with women. +Haste you now! + + (JENS BIELKE goes out to the right.) + + NILS LYKKE (stands still for a while; then walks about the room, +looking round him; at last he says softly). So I am at Ostrat at +last--the ancient seat that a child, two years ago, told me so +much of. + Lucia. Ay, two years ago she was still a child. And now--now +she is dead. (Hums with a half-smile.) "Blossoms plucked are +blossoms withered---- ----" (Looks round him again.) + Ostrat. 'Tis as though I had seen it all before; as though I +were at home here.--In there is the Banquet Hall. And underneath +is--the grave-vault. It must be there that Lucia lies. + (In a lower voice, half seriously, half with forced gaiety.) + Were I timorous, I might well find myself fancying that when I +set foot within Ostrat gate she turned about in her coffin; as I +walked across the courtyard she lifted the lid; and when I named +her name but now, 'twas as though a voice summoned her forth from +the grave-vault.--Maybe she is even now groping her way up the +stairs. The face-cloth blinds her, but she gropes on and on in +spite of it. + Now she has reached the Banquet Hall; she stands watching me from +behind the door! + (Turns his head backwards over one shoulder, nods, and says + aloud:) + Come nearer, Lucia! Talk to me a little! Your mother keeps me +waiting. 'Tis tedious waiting--and you have helped me to while +away many a tedious hour---- ---- + (Passes his hand over his forehead, and takes one or two turns + up and down.) + Ah, there!--Right, right; there is the the deep curtained window. +It is there that Inger Gyldenlove is wont to stand gazing out over +the road, as though looking for one that never comes. In there-- +(looks towards the door on the left)--somewhere in there is Sister +Elina's chamber. Elina? Ay, Elina is her name. Can it be that +she is so rare a being--so wise and so brave as Lucia drew her? +Fair, too, they say. But for a wedded wife----? I should not +have written so plainly---- ---- + (Lost in thought, he is on the point of sitting down by the + table, but stands up again.) + How will Lady Inger receive me? She will scarce burn the castle +over our heads, or slip me through a trap-door. A stab from behind----? +No, not that way either---- + (Listens towards the hall.) + Aha! + + (LADY INGER GYLDENLOVE enters from the hall.) + + LADY INGER (coldly). My greeting to you, Sir Councillor---- + + NILS LYKKE (bows deeply). Ah--the Lady of Ostrat! + + LADY INGER. And thanks that you have forewarned me of your visit. + + NILS LYKKE. I could do no less. I had reason to think that my +coming might surprise you---- + + LADY INGER. In truth, Sir Councillor, you thought right there. +Nils Lykke was certainly the last guest I looked to see at Ostrat. + + NILS LYKKE. And still less, mayhap, did you think to see him +come as a friend? + + LADY INGER. As a friend? You add insult to all the shame and +sorrow you have heaped upon my house? After bringing my child to +the grave, you still dare---- + + NILS LYKKE. With your leave, Lady Inger Gyldenlove--on that +matter we should scarce agree; for you count as nothing what _I_ +lost by that same unhappy chance. I purposed nought but in honour. +I was tired of my unbridled life; my thirtieth year was already +past; I longed to mate me with a good and gentle wife. Add to +all this the hope of becoming _your_ son-in-law---- + + LADY INGER. Beware, Sir Councillor! I have done all in my power +to hide my child's unhappy fate. But because it is out of sight, +think not it is out of mind. It may yet happen---- + + NILS LYKKE. You threaten me, Lady Inger? I have offered you +my hand in amity; you refuse to take it. Henceforth, then, it +is to be open war between us? + + LADY INGER. Was there ever aught else? + + NILS LYKKE. Not on _your_ side, mayhap. _I_ have never been +your enemy,--though as a subject of the King of Denmark I lacked +not good cause. + + LADY INGER. I understand you. I have not been pliant enough. +It has not proved so easy as some of you hoped to lure me over +into your camp.-- Yet methinks you have nought to complain of. +My daughter Merete's husband is your countryman--further I cannot +go. My position is no easy one, Nils Lykke! + + NILS LYKKE. That I can well believe. Both nobles and people +here in Norway think they have an ancient claim on you--a claim, +'tis said, you have but half fulfilled. + + LADY INGER. Your pardon, Sir Councillor,--I account for my +doings to none but God and myself. If it please you, then, let +me understand what brings you hither. + + NILS LYKKE. Gladly, Lady Inger! The purport of my mission to +this country can scarce be unknown to you----? + + LADY INGER. I know the mission that report assigns you. Our +King would fain know how the Norwegian nobles stand affected +towards him. + + NILS LYKKE. Assuredly. + + LADY INGER. Then that is why you visit Ostrat? + + NILS LYKKE. In part. But it is far from my purpose to demand +any profession of loyalty from you---- + + LADY INGER. What then? + + NILS LYKKE. Hearken to me, Lady Inger! You said yourself but +now that your position is no easy one. You stand half way between +two hostile camps, neither of which dares trust you fully. Your +own interest must needs bind you to _us_. On the other hand, you +are bound to the disaffected by the bond of nationality, and--who +knows?--mayhap by some secret tie as well. + + LADY INGER (aside). A secret tie! Christ, does he----? + + NILS LYKKE (notices her emotion, but makes no sign and continues +without change of manner). You cannot but see that such a position +must ere long become impossible.--Suppose, now, it lay in my power +to free you from these embarrassments which---- + + LADY INGER. In your power, you say? + + NILS LYKKE. First of all, Lady Inger, I would beg you to lay no +stress on any careless words I may have used concerning that which +lies between us two. Think not that I have forgotten for a moment +the wrong I have done you. Suppose, now, I had long purposed to +make atonement, as far as might be, where I had sinned. Suppose +that were my reason for undertaking this mission. + + LADY INGER. Speak your meaning more clearly, Sir Councillor;--I +cannot follow you. + + NILS LYKKE. I can scarce be mistaken in thinking that you, as +well as I, know of the threatened troubles in Sweden. You know, +or at least you can guess, that this rising is of far wider aim +than is commonly supposed, and you understand therefore that our +King cannot look on quietly and let things take their course. Am +I not right? + + LADY INGER. Go on. + + NILS LYKKE (searchingly, after a short pause). There is one +possible chance that might endanger Gustav Vasa's throne---- + + LADY INGER (aside). Whither is he tending? + + NILS LYKKE. ----the chance, namely, that there should exist in +Sweden a man entitled by his birth to claim election to the kingship. + + LADY INGER (evasively). The Swedish nobles have been even as +bloodily hewn down as our own, Sir Councillor. Where would you +seek for----? + + NILS LYKKE (with a smile). Seek? The man is found already---- + + LADY INGER (starts violently). Ah! He is found? + + NILS LYKKE. ----And he is too closely akin to you, Lady Inger, +to be far from your thoughts at this moment. + (Looks at her.) + The last Count Sture left a son---- + + LADY INGER (with a cry). Holy Saviour, how know you----? + + NILS LYKKE (surprised). Be calm, Madam, and let me finish.-- +This young man has lived quietly till now with his mother, Sten +Sture's widow. + + LADY INGER (breathes more freely). With----? Ah, yes--true, +true! + + NILS LYKKE. But now he has come forward openly. He has shown +himself in the Dales as leader of the peasants; their numbers are +growing day by day; and--as perhaps you know--they are finding +friends among the peasants on this side of the border-hills. + + LADY INGER (who has in the meantime regained her composure). Sir +Councillor,--you speak of all these things as though they must of +necessity be known to me. What ground have I given you to believe +so? I know, and wish to know, nothing. All my care is to live +quietly within my own domain; I give no helping hand to the rebels; +but neither must you count on me if it be your purpose to put +them down. + + NILS LYKKE (in a low voice). Would you still be inactive, if +it were my purpose to stand by them? + + LADY INGER. How am I to understand you? + + NILS LYKKE. Have you not seen whither I have been aiming all this +time?--Well, I will tell you all, honestly and straightforwardly. +Know, then, that the King and his Council see clearly that we can +have no sure footing in Norway so long as the nobles and the people +continue, as now, to think themselves wronged and oppressed. We +understand to the full that willing allies are better than sullen +subjects; and we have therefore no heartier wish than to loosen the +bonds that hamper _us_, in effect, quite as straitly as you. But +you will scarce deny that the temper of Norway towards us makes +such a step too dangerous--so long as we have no sure support +behind us. + + LADY INGER. And this support----? + + NILS LYKKE. Should naturally come from Sweden. But, mark well, +not so long as Gustav Vasa holds the helm; _his_ reckoning with +Denmark is not settled yet, and mayhap never will be. But a new +king of Sweden, who had the people with him, and who owed his throne +to the help of Denmark---- ---- Well, you begin to understand me? +_Then_ we could safely say to you Norwegians: "Take back your old +ancestral rights; choose you a ruler after your own mind; be our +friends in need, as we will be in yours!"--Mark you well, Lady +Inger, herein is our generosity less than it may seem; for you +must see that, far from weakening, 'twill rather strengthen us. + And now I have opened my heart to you so fully, do you too cast +away all mistrust. And therefore (confidently)--the knight from +Sweden, who came hither an hour before me---- + + LADY INGER. Then you already know of his coming? + + NILS LYKKE. Most certainly. It is him I seek. + + LADY INGER (to herself). Strange! It must be as Olaf Skaktavl +said. (To NILS LYKKE.) I pray you wait here, Sir Councillor! I +go to bring him to you. + + (Goes out through the Banquet Hall.) + + NILS LYKKE (looks after her a while in exultant astonishment). +She is bringing him! Ay, truly--she is bringing him! The battle +is half won. I little thought it would go so smoothly---- + She is deep in the counsels of the rebels; she started in terror +when I named Sten Sture's son---- + And now? Hm! Since Lady Inger has been simple enough to walk +into the snare, Nils Sture will not make many difficulties. A +hot-blooded boy, thoughtless and rash---- ---- With my promise +of help he will set forth at once--unhappily Jens Bielke will snap +him up by the way--and the whole rising will be nipped in the bud. + And then? Then one step more in our own behalf. It is spread +abroad that the young Count Sture has been at Ostrat,--that a +Danish envoy has had audience of Lady Inger--that thereupon the +young Count Nils has been snapped up by King Gustav's men-at-arms +a mile from the castle---- ---- Let Inger Gyldenlove's name among +the people stand never so high--it will scarce recover from such +a blow. + (Starts up in sudden uneasiness.) + By all the devils----! What if she has scented mischief! It +may be he is slipping through our fingers even now---- (Listens +toward the hall, and says with relief.) Ah, there is no fear. +Here they come. + + (LADY INGER GYLDENLOVE enters from the hall along with + OLAF SKAKTAVL.) + + LADY INGER (to NILS LYKKE). Here is the man you seek. + + NILS LYKKE (aside). In the name of hell--what means this? + + LADY INGER. I have told this knight your name and all that you +have imparted to me---- + + NILS LYKKE (irresolutely). Ay? Have you so? Well---- + + LADY INGER---- And I will not hide from you that his faith in +your help is none of the strongest. + + NILS LYKKE. Is it not? + + LADY INGER. Can you marvel at that? You know, surely, both the +cause he fights for and his bitter fate---- + + NILS LYKKE. This man's----? Ah--yes, truly---- + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (to NILS LYKKE). But seeing 'tis Peter Kanzler +himself that has appointed us this meeting---- + + NILS LYKKE. Peter Kanzler----? (Recovers himself quickly.) +Ay, right,--I have a mission from Peter Kanzler---- + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. He must know best whom he can trust. So why +should I trouble my head with thinking how---- + + NILS LYKKE. Ay, you are right, noble Sir; that were folly indeed. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Rather let us come straight to the matter. + + NILS LYKKE. Straight to the point; no beating about the bush-- +'tis ever my fashion. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Then will you tell me your mission here? + + NILS LYKKE. Methinks you can partly guess my errand---- + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Peter Kanzler said something of papers that---- + + NILS LYKKE. Papers? Ay, true, the papers! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Doubtless you have them with you? + + NILS LYKKE. Of course; safely bestowed; so safely that I cannot +at once---- + (Appears to search the inner pockets of his doublet; says to + himself:) + Who the devil is he? What pretext shall I make? I may be on +the brink of great discoveries---- + (Notices that the Servants are laying the table and lighting + the lamps in the Banquet Hall, and says to OLAF SKAKTAVL:) + Ah, I see Lady Inger has taken order for the evening meal. We +could perhaps better talk of our affairs at table. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Good; as you will. + + NILS LYKKE (aside). Time gained--all gained! + (To LADY INGER with a show of great friendliness.) + And meanwhile we might learn what part Lady Inger Gyldenlove +purposes to take in our design? + + LADY INGER. I?--None. + + NILS LYKKE AND OLAF SKAKTAVL. None! + + LADY INGER. Can ye marvel, noble Sirs, that I venture not on +a game, wherein all is staked on one cast? And that, too, when +none of my allies dare trust me fully. + + NILS LYKKE. That reproach touches not me. I trust you blindly; +I pray you be assured of that. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Who should believe in you, if not your countrymen? + + LADY INGER. Truly,--this confidence rejoices me. + + (Goes to a cupboard in the back wall and fills two goblets + with wine.) + + NILS LYKKE (aside). Curse her, will she slip out of the noose? + + LADY INGER (hands a goblet to each). And since so it is, I +offer you a cup of welcome to Ostrat. Drink, noble knights! +Pledge me to the last drop! + (Looks from one to the other after they have drunk, and says + gravely:) + But now I must tell you--one goblet held a welcome for my friend; +the other--death for my enemy. + + NILS LYKKE (throws down the goblet). Ah, I am poisoned! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (at the same time, clutches his sword). Death and +hell, have you murdered me? + + LADY INGER (to OLAF SKAKTAVL, pointing to NILS LYKKE.) You see +the Danes' trust in Inger Gyldenlove---- + (To NILS LYKKE, pointing to OLAF SKAKTAVL.) + ----and likewise my countrymen's faith in me! + (To both of them.) + And I am to place myself in your power? Gently, noble Sirs-- +gently! The Lady of Ostrat is not yet in her dotage. + + (ELINA GYLDENLOVE enters by the door on the left.) + + ELINA. I heard voices! What is amiss? + + LADY INGER (to NILS LYKKE). My daughter Elina. + + NILS LYKKE (softly). Elina! I had not pictured her thus. + + (ELINA catches sight of NILS LYKKE, and stands still, as in + surprise, gazing at him.) + + LADY INGER (touches her arm). My child--this knight is---- + + ELINA (motions her mother back with her hand, still looking +intently at him, and says:) There is no need! I see who he +is. He is Nils Lykke. + + NILS LYKKE (aside, to LADY INGER). How? Does she know me? +Can Lucia have----? Can she know----? + + LADY INGER. Hush! She knows nothing. + + ELINA (to herself). I knew it;--even so must Nils Lykke appear. + + NILS LYKKE (approaches her). Yes, Elina Gyldenlove,--you have +guessed rightly. And as it seems that, in some sense, you know +me,--and moreover, as I am your mother's guest,--you will not deny +me the flower-spray you wear in your bosom. So long as it is fresh +and fragrant I shall have in it an image of yourself. + + ELINA (proudly, but still gazing at him). Pardon me, Sir Knight-- +it was plucked in my own chamber, and _there_ can grow no flower +for you. + + NILS LYKKE (loosening a spray of flowers that he wears in the +front of his doublet). At least you will not disdain this humble +gift. 'Twas a farewell token from a courtly lady when I set forth +from Trondhiem this morning.--But mark me, noble maiden,--were I +to offer you a gift that were fully worthy of you, it could be +naught less than a princely crown. + + ELINA (who has taken the flowers passively). And were it the +royal crown of Denmark you held forth to me--before I shared it +with _you_, I would crush it to pieces between my hands, and cast +the fragments at your feet! + + (Throws down the flowers at his feet, and goes into the + Banquet Hall.) + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (mutters to himself). Bold--as Inger Ottisdaughter +by Knut Alfson's bier! + + LADY INGER (softly, after looking alternately at ELINA and NILS +LYKKE). The wolf _can_ be tamed. Now to forge the fetters. + + NILS LYKKE (picks up the flowers and gazes in rapture after ELINA). +God's holy blood, but she is proud and fair + + + +ACT THIRD. + + +(The Banquet Hall. A high bow-window in the background; a smaller + window in front on the left. Several doors on each side. The + roof is supported by massive wooden pillars, on which, as well as + on the walls, are hung all sorts of weapons. Pictures of saints, + knights, and ladies hang in long rows. Pendent from the roof a + large many-branched lamp, alight. In front, on the right, an + ancient carven high-seat. In the middle of the hall, a table + with the remnants of the evening meal.) + +(ELINA GYLDENLOVE enters from the left, slowly and in deep thought. + Her expression shows that she is going over again in her mind + the scene with NILS LYKKE. At last she repeats the motion with + which she flung away the flowers, and says in a low voice:) + + + ELINA. ---- ----And then he gathered up the fragments of the +crown of Denmark--no, 'twas the flowers--and: "God's holy blood, +but she is proud and fair!" + Had he whispered the words in the remotest corner, long leagues +from Ostrat,--still had I heard them! + How I hate him! How I have always hated him,--this Nils Lykke!-- +There lives not another man like him, 'tis said. He plays with +women--and treads them under his feet. + And it was to him my mother thought to offer me!--How I hate him! + They say Nils Lykke is unlike all other men. It is not true! +There is nothing strange in him. There are many, many like him! +When Biorn used to tell me his tales, all the princes looked as +Nils Lykke looks. When I sat lonely here in the hall and dreamed +my histories, and my knights came and went,--they were one and all +even as he. + How strange and how good it is to hate! Never have I known how +sweet it can be--till to-night. Ah--not to live a thousand years +would I sell the moments I have lived since I saw him!-- + "God's holy blood, but she is proud---- ----" + + (Goes slowly towards the background, opens the window and + looks out. NILS LYKKE comes in by the first door on the + right.) + + NILS LYKKE (to himself). "Sleep well at Ostrat, Sir Knight," +said Inger Gyldenlove as she left me. Sleep well? Ay, it is +easily said, but---- ---- Out there, sky and sea in tumult; below, +in the grave-vault, a young girl on her bier; the fate of two +kingdoms in my hand; and in my breast a withered flower that a +woman has flung at my feet. Truly, I fear me sleep will be slow +of coming. + (Notices ELINA, who has left the window, and is going out on + the left.) +There she is. Her haughty eyes seem veiled with thought.--Ah, if +I but dared--(aloud). Mistress Elina! + + ELINA (stops at the door). What will you? Why do you pursue me? + + NILS LYKKE. You err; I pursue you not. I am myself pursued. + + ELINA. You? + + NILS LYKKE. By a multitude of thoughts. Therefore 'tis with +sleep as with you:--it flees me. + + ELINA. Go to the window, and there you will find pastime;--a +storm-tossed sea---- + + NILS LYKKE (smiles). A storm-tossed sea? That I may find in +you as well. + + ELINA. In me? + + NILS LYKKE. Ay, of that our first meeting has assured me. + + ELINA. And that offends you? + + NILS LYKKE. Nay, in nowise; yet I could wish to see you of +milder mood. + + ELINA (proudly). Think you that you will ever have your wish? + + NILS LYKKE. I am sure of it. I have a welcome word to say +to you. + + ELINA. What is it? + + NILS LYKKE. Farewell. + + ELINA (comes a step nearer him). Farewell? You are leaving +Ostrat--so soon? + + NILS LYKKE. This very night. + + ELINA (seems to hesitate for a moment; then says coldly:) Then +take my greeting, Sir Knight! (Bows and is about to go.) + + NILS LYKKE. Elina Gyldenlove,--I have no right to keep you here; +but 'twill be unlike your nobleness if you refuse to hear what I +have to say to you. + + ELINA. I hear you, Sir Knight. + + NILS LYKKE. I know you hate me. + + ELINA. You are keen-sighted, I perceive. + + NILS LYKKE. But I know, too, that I have fully merited your +hate. Unseemly and insolent were the words I wrote of you +in my letter to Lady Inger. + + ELINA. It may be; I have not read them. + + NILS LYKKE. But at least their purport is not unknown to you; +I know your mother has not left you in ignorance of the matter; +at the least she has told you how I praised the lot of the man +who----; surely you know the hope I nursed---- + + ELINA. Sir Knight--if it is of that you would speak---- + + NILS LYKKE. I speak of it only to excuse what I have done; for +no other reason, I swear to you. If my fame has reached you--as +I have too much cause of fear--before I myself set foot in Ostrat, +you must needs know enough of my life not to wonder that in such +things I should go to work something boldly. I have met many +women, Elina Gyldenlove; but not one have I found unyielding. Such +lessons, look you, teach a man to be secure. He loses the habit +of roundabout ways---- + + ELINA. May be so. I know not of what metal those women can +have been. + For the rest, you err in thinking 'twas your letter to my mother +that aroused my soul's hatred and bitterness against you. It is +of older date. + + NILS LYKKE (uneasily). Of older date? What mean you? + + ELINA. 'Tis as you guessed:--your fame has gone before you to +Ostrat, even as over all the land. Nils Lykke's name is never +spoken save with the name of some woman whom he has beguiled and +cast off. Some speak it in wrath, others with laughter and wanton +jeering at those weak-souled creatures. But through the wrath +and the laughter and the jeers rings the song they have made of +you, masterful and insolent as an enemy's song of triumph. + 'Tis all this that has begotten my hate for you. Your were ever +in my thoughts, and I longed to meet you face to face, that you +might learn that there are women on whom your soft speeches are +lost--if you should think to use them. + + NILS LYKKE. You judge me unjustly, if you judge from what rumour +has told of me. Even if there be truth in all you have heard,-- +you know not the causes that have made me what I am.--As a boy of +seventeen I began my course of pleasure. I have lived full fifteen +years since then. Light women granted me all that I would--even +before the wish had shaped itself into a prayer; and what I offered +them they seized with eager hands. You are the first woman that +has flung back a gift of mine with scorn at my feet. + Think not I reproach you. Rather I honour you for it, as never +before have I honoured woman. But for this I reproach my fate-- +and the thought is a gnawing pain to me--that I did not meet you +sooner---- ---- + Elina Gyldenlove! Your mother has told me of you. While far +from Ostrat life ran its restless course, you went your lonely way +in silence, living in your dreams and histories. Therefore you +will understand what I have to tell you.--Know, then, that once I +too lived even such a life as yours. Methought that when I stepped +forth into the great world, a noble and stately woman would come +to meet me, and would beckon me to her and point me the path towards +a lofty goal.--I was deceived, Elina Gyldenlove! Women came to +meet me; but _she_ was not among them. Ere yet I had come to full +manhood, I had learnt to despise them all. + Was it my fault? Why were not the others even as you?--I know +the fate of your fatherland lies heavy on your soul, and you know +the part I have in these affairs---- ---- 'Tis said of me that I +am false as the sea-foam. Mayhap I am; but if I be, it is women +who have made me so. Had I sooner found what I sought,--had I met +a woman proud and noble and high-souled even as you, then had my +path been different indeed. At this moment, maybe, I had been +standing at your side as the champion of all that suffer wrong +in Norway's land. For _this_ I believe: a woman is the mightiest +power in the world, and in her hand it lies to guide a man whither +God Almighty would have him go. + + ELINA (to herself). Can it be as he says? Nay nay; there is +falsehood in his eyes and deceit on his lips. And yet--no song +is sweeter than his words. + + NILS LYKKE (coming closer, speaks low and more intimately). How +often, when you have been sitting here at Ostrat, alone with your +changeful thoughts, have you felt your bosom stifling; how often +have the roof and walls seemed to shrink together till they crushed +your very soul. Then have your longings taken wing with you; then +have you yearned to fly far from here, you knew not whither.--How +often have you not wandered alone by the fiord; far out a ship +has sailed by in fair array, with knights and ladies on her deck +with song and music of stringed instruments;--a faint, far-off +rumour of great events has reached your ears;--and you have felt +a longing in your breast, an unconquerable craving to know all +that lies beyond the sea. But you have not understood what ailed +you. At times you have thought it was the fate of your fatherland +that filled you with all these restless broodings. You deceived +yourself;--a maiden so young as you has other food for musing---- +---- Elina Gyldenlove! Have you never had visions of an unknown +power--a strong mysterious might, that binds together the destinies +of mortals? When you dreamed of knightly jousts and joyous +festivals--saw you never in your dreams a knight, who stood in +the midst of the gayest rout, with a smile on his lips and with +bitterness in his heart,--a knight that had once dreamed a dream +as fair as yours, of a woman noble and stately, for whom he went +ever seeking, and in vain? + + ELINA. Who are you, that have power to clothe my most secret +thought in words? How can you tell me what I have borne in my +inmost soul--and knew it not myself? How know you----? + + NILS LYKKE. All that I have told you, I have read in your eyes. + + ELINA. Never has any man spoken to me as you have. I have +understood you but dimly; and yet--all, all seems changed since---- + (To herself.) Now I understand why they said that Nils Lykke was +unlike all other. + + NILS LYKKE. There is one thing in the world that might drive +a man to madness, but to think of it; and that is the thought of +what might have been if things had fallen out in this way or that. +Had I met you on my path while the tree of my life was yet green +and budding, at this hour, mayhap, you had been---- ---- + But forgive me, noble lady! Our speech of these past few moments +has made me forget how we stand one to another. 'Twas as though a +secret voice had told me from the first that to you I could speak +openly, without flattery or dissimulation. + + ELINA. That can you. + + NILS LYKKE. 'Tis well;--and it may be that this openness has +already in part reconciled us. Ay--my hope is yet bolder. The time +may yet come when you will think of the stranger knight without hate +or bitterness in your soul. Nay,--mistake me not! I mean not now-- +but some time, in the days to come. And that this may be the less +hard for you--and as I have begun once for all to speak to you +plainly and openly--let me tell you---- + + ELINA. Sir Knight----! + + NILS LYKKE (smiling). Ah, I see the thought of my letter still +affrights you. Fear nought on that score. I would from my heart +it were unwritten, for--I know 'twill concern you little enough, +so I may even say it right out--for I love you not, and shall never +come to you. Fear nothing, therefore, as I said before; I shall +in no wise seek to---- ---- But what ails you----? + + ELINA. Me? Nothing, nothing.--Tell me but one thing. Why do +you still wear those flowers? What would you with them? + + NILS LYKKE. These? Are they not a gage of battle you have +thrown down to the wicked Nils Lykke on behalf of all womankind? +What could I do but take it up? + You asked what I would with them. (Softly.) When I stand again +amidst the fair ladies of Denmark--when the music of the strings +is hushed and there is silence in the hall--then will I bring forth +these flowers and tell a tale of a young maiden sitting alone in +a gloomy black-beamed hall, far to the north in Norway---- + (Breaks off and bows respectfully.) +But I fear I keep the noble daughter of the house too long. We +shall meet no more; for before day-break I shall be gone. So now +I bid you farewell. + + ELINA. Fare you well, Sir Knight! + + (A short silence.) + + NILS LYKKE. Again you are deep in thought, Elina Gyldenlove! +Is it the fate of your fatherland that weighs upon you still? + + ELINA (shakes her head, absently gazing straight in front of +her). My fatherland?--I think not of my fatherland. + + NILS LYKKE. Then 'tis the strife and misery of the time that +cause you dread. + + ELINA. The time? I have forgotten time---- ---- You go to +Denmark? Said you not so? + + NILS LYKKE. I go to Denmark. + + ELINA. Can I see towards Denmark from this hall? + + NILS LYKKE (points to the window on the left). Ay, from this +window. Denmark lies there, to the south. + + ELINA. And is it far from here? More than a hundred miles? + + NILS LYKKE. Much more. The sea lies between you and Denmark. + + ELINA (to herself). The sea? Thought has seagull's wings. The +sea cannot stay it. + + (Goes out to the left.) + + NILS LYKKE (looks after her awhile; then says:) If I could +but spare two days now--or even one--I would have her in my power, +even as the others. And yet is there rare stuff in this maiden. +She is proud. Might I not after all----? No; rather humble +her---- ---- + (Paces the room.) +Verily, I believe she has set my blood on fire. Who would have +thought it possible after all these years?--Enough of this! I +must get out of the tangle I am entwined in here. + (Sits in a chair on the right.) +What is the meaning of it? Both Olaf Skaktavl and Inger Gyldenlove +seem blind to the mistrust 'twill waken, when 'tis rumoured that I +am in their league.--Or can Lady Inger have seen through my purpose? +Can she have seen that all my promises were but designed to lure +Nils Sture forth from his hiding-place? + (Springs up.) +Damnation! Is it I that have been fooled? 'Tis like enough that +Count Sture is not at Ostrat at all? It may be the rumour of his +flight was but a feint. He may be safe and sound among his friends +in Sweden, while I---- + (Walks restlessly up and down.) +And to think I was so sure of success! If I should effect nothing? +If Lady Inger should penetrate my designs--and publish my +discomfiture---- To be a laughing-stock both here and in Denmark! +To have sought to lure Lady Inger into a trap--and given her cause +the help it most needed--strengthened her in the people's favour----! +Ah, I could well-nigh sell myself to the Evil One, would he but +help me to lay hands on Count Sture. + + (The window in the background is pushed open. NILS STENSSON + is seen outside.) + + NILS LYKKE (clutches at his sword). What now? + + NILS STENSSON (jumps down on to the floor). Ah; here I am at +last then! + + NILS LYKKE (aside). What means this? + + NILS STENSSON. God's peace, master! + + NILS LYKKE. Thanks, good Sir! Methinks yo have chosen a strange +mode of entrance. + + NILS STENSSON. Ay, what the devil was I to do? The gate was +shut. Folk must sleep in this house like bears at Yuletide. + + NILS LYKKE. God be thanked! Know you not that a good conscience +is the best pillow? + + NILS STENSSON. Ay, it must be even so; for all my rattling and +thundering, I---- + + NILS LYKKE. ----You won not in? + + NILS STENSSON. You have hit it. So I said to myself: As you +are bidden to be in Ostrat to-night, if you have to go through +fire and water, you may surely make free to creep through a window. + + NILS LYKKE (aside). Ah, if it should be----! + (Moves a step or two nearer.) +Was it, then, of the last necessity that you should reach Ostrat +to-night? + + NILS STENSSON. Was it? Ay, faith but it was. I love not to +keep folk waiting, I can tell you. + + NILS LYKKE. Aha,--then Lady Inger Gyldenlove looks for your +coming? + + NILS STENSSON. Lady Inger Gyldenlove? Nay, that I can scarce +say for certain; (with a sly smile) but there might be some one +else---- + + NILS LYKKE (smiles in answer). Ah, so there might be some one +else? + + NILS STENSSON. Tell me--are you of the house? + + NILS LYKKE. I? Well, in so far that I am Lady Inger's guest +this evening. + + NILS STENSSON. A guest?--Is not to-night the third night after +Martinmas? + + NILS LYKKE. The third night after----? Ay, right enough.--Would +you seek the lady of the house at once? I think she is not yet +gone to rest. But might you not sit down and rest awhile, dear +young Sir? See, here is yet a flagon of wine remaining, and +doubtless you will find some food. Come, fall to; you will do +wisely to refresh your strength. + + NILS STENSSON. You are right, Sir; 'twere not amiss. + (Sits down by the table and eats and drinks.) +Both roast meat and sweet cakes! Why, you live like lords here! +When one has slept, as I have, on the naked ground, and lived on +bread and water for four or five days---- + + NILS LYKKE (looks at him with a smile). Ay, such a life must +be hard for one that is wont to sit at the high-table in noble +halls---- + + NILS STENSSON. Noble halls----? + + NILS LYKKE. But now can you take your rest at Ostrat, as long +as it likes you. + + NILS STENSSON (pleased). Ay? Can I truly? Then I am not to +begone again so soon? + + NILS LYKKE. Nay, that I know not. Sure you yourself can best +say that. + + NILS STENSSON (softly). Oh, the devil! (Stretches himself in +the chair.) Well, you see--'tis not yet certain. I, for my part, +were nothing loath to stay quiet here awhile; but---- + + NILS LYKKE. ----But you are not in all points your own master? +There be other duties and other circumstances----? + + NILS STENSSON. Ay, that is just the rub. Were I to choose, I +would rest me at Ostrat at least the winter through; I have seldom +led aught but a soldier's life---- + (Interrupts himself suddenly, fills a goblet, and drinks.) +Your health, Sir! + + NILS LYKKE. A soldier's life? Hm! + + NILS STENSSON. Nay, what I would have said is this: I have +been eager to see Lady Inger Gyldenlove, whose fame has spread +so wide. She must be a queenly woman,--is't not so?--The one +thing I like not in her, is that she shrinks so cursedly from +open action. + + NILS LYKKE. From open action? + + NILS STENSSON. Ay ay, you understand me; I mean she is so loath +to take a hand in driving the foreign rulers out of the land. + + NILS LYKKE. Ay, you are right. But if you do your best now, +you will doubtless work her to your will. + + NILS STENSSON. I? God knows it would but little serve if _I_---- + + NILS LYKKE. Yet 'tis strange you should seek her here if you +have so little hope. + + NILS STENSSON. What mean you?--Tell me, know you Lady Inger? + + NILS LYKKE. Surely; I am her guest, and---- + + NILS STENSSON. Ay, but it does not at all follow that you know +her. I too am her guest, yet have I never seen so much as her +shadow. + + NILS LYKKE. Yet did you speak of her---- + + NILS STENSSON. ----As all folk speak. Why should I not? And +besides, I have often enough heard from Peter Kanzler---- + + (Stops in confusion, and begins eating again.) + + NILS LYKKE. You would have said----? + + NILS STENSSON (eating). I? Nay, 'tis all one. + + (NILS LYKKE laughs.) + + NILS STENSSON. Why laugh you, Sir? + + NILS LYKKE. 'Tis nought, Sir! + + NILS STENSSON (drinks). A pretty vintage ye have in this house. + + NILS LYKKE (approaches him confidentially). Listen--were it +not time now to throw off the mask? + + NILS STENSSON (smiling). The mask? Why, do as seems best to you. + + NILS LYKKE. Then off with all disguise. You are known, Count +Sture! + + NILS STENSSON (with a laugh). Count Sture? Do you too take +me for Count Sture? + (Rises from the table.) +You mistake, Sir; I am not Count Sture. + + NILS LYKKE. You are not? Then who are you? + + NILS STENSSON. My name is Nils Stensson. + + NILS LYKKE (looks at him with a smile). Hm! Nils Stensson? But +you are not Sten Sture's son Nils? The name chimes at least. + + NILS STENSSON. True enough; but God knows what right I have to +bear it. My father I never knew; my mother was a poor peasant- +woman, that was robbed and murdered in one of the old feuds. Peter +Kanzler chanced to be on the spot; he took me into his care, brought +me up, and taught me the trade of arms. As you know, King Gustav +has been hunting him this many a year; and I have followed him +faithfully, wherever he went. + + NILS LYKKE. Peter Kanzler has taught you more than the trade +of arms, meseems---- ---- Well, well; then you are not Nils Sture. +But at least you come from Sweden. Peter Kanzler has sent you +here to find a stranger, who---- + + NILS STENSSON (nods cunningly). ----Who is found already. + + NILS LYKKE (somewhat uncertain). And whom you do not know? + + NILS STENSSON. As little as you know me; for I swear to you by +God himself: I am not Count Sture! + + NILS LYKKE. In sober earnest, Sir? + + NILS STENSSON. As truly as I live! Wherefore should I deny it, +if I were? + + NILS LYKKE. Then where is Count Sture? + + NILS STENSSON (in a low voice). Ay, _that_ is just the secret. + + NILS LYKKE (whispers). Which is known to you, is it not? + + NILS STENSSON (nods). And which I have to tell to you. + + NILS LYKKE. To me? Well then,--where is he? + + (NILS STENSSON points upwards.) + + NILS LYKKE. Up there? Lady Inger holds him hidden in the loft- +room? + + NILS STENSSON. Nay, nay; you mistake me. (Looks round cautiously.) +Nils Sture is in Heaven! + + NILS LYKKE. Dead? And where? + + NILS STENSSON. In his mother's castle,--three weeks since. + + NILS LYKKE. Ah, you are deceiving me! 'Tis but five or six +days since he crossed the frontier into Norway. + + NILS STENSSON. Oh, that was I. + + NILS LYKKE. But just before that the Count had appeared in the +Dales. The people were restless already, and on his coming they +broke out openly and would have chosen him for king. + + NILS STENSSON. Ha-ha-ha; that was me too! + + NILS LYKKE. You? + + NILS STENSSON. I will tell you how it came about. One day Peter +Kanzler called me to him and gave me to know that great things were +preparing. He bade me set out for Norway and go to Ostrat, where I +must be on a certain fixed day---- + + NILS LYKKE (nods). The third night after Martinmas. + + NILS STENSSON. I was to meet a stranger there---- + + NILS LYKKE. Ay, right; I am he. + + NILS STENSSON. He was to tell me what more I had to do. Moreover, +I was to let him know that the Count was dead of a sudden, but +that as yet 'twas known to no one save to his mother the Countess, +together with Peter Kanzler and a few old servants of the Stures. + + NILS LYKKE. I understand. The Count was the peasants' rallying- +point. Were the tidings of his death to spread, they would fall +asunder,--and the whole project would come to nought. + + NILS STENSSON. Ay, maybe so; I know little of such matters. + + NILS LYKKE. But how came you to give yourself out for the Count? + + NILS STENSSON. How came I to----? Nay, what know I? Many's +the mad prank I've hit on in my day. And yet 'twas not I hit on +it neither; wherever I appeared in the Dales, the people crowded +round me and greeted me as Count Sture. Deny it as I pleased, +--'twas wasted breath. The Count had been there two years before, +they said--and the veriest child knew me again. Well, be it so, +thought I; never again will you be a Count in this life; why not +try what 'tis like for once? + + NILS LYKKE. Well,--and what did you more? + + NILS STENSSON. I? I ate and drank and took my ease. Pity 'twas +that I must away again so soon. But when I set forth across the +frontier--ha-ha-ha--I promised them I would soon be back with three +or four thousand men--I know not how many I said--and then we would +lay on in earnest. + + NILS LYKKE. And you did not bethink you that you were acting +rashly? + + NILS STENSSON. Ay, afterwards; but then, to be sure, 'twas too +late. + + NILS LYKKE. It grieves me for you, my young friend; but you +will soon come to feel the effects of your folly. Let me tell +you that you are pursued. A troop of Swedish men-at-arms is out +after you. + + NILS STENSSON. After me? Ha-ha-ha. Nay, that is rare! And +when they come and think they have Count Sture in their clutches-- +ha-ha-ha! + + NILS LYKKE (gravely). ----Then farewell to your life. + + NILS STENSSON. My----? But I am not Count Sture. + + NILS LYKKE. You have called the people to arms. You have given +seditious promises, and raised troubles in the land. + + NILS STENSSON. Ay, but 'twas only in jest! + + NILS LYKKE. King Gustav will scarce look on the matter in that +light. + + NILS STENSSON. Truly, there is something in what you say. To +think I could be such a madman---- ---- Well well, I'm not a +dead man yet! You will protect me; and besides--the men-at-arms +can scarce be at my heels. + + NILS LYKKE. But what else have you to tell me? + + NILS STENSSON. I? Nothing. When once I have given you the +packet---- + + NILS LYKKE (unguardedly). The packet? + + NILS STENSSON. Ay, sure you know---- + + NILS LYKKE. Ah, right, right; the papers from Peter Kanzler---- + + NILS STENSSON. See, here they all are. + + (Takes out a packet from inside his doublet, and hands it to + NILS LYKKE.) + + NILS LYKKE (aside). Letters and papers for Olaf Skaktavl. + (To NILS STENSSON.) + The packet is open, I see. 'Tis like you know what it contains? + + NILS STENSSON. No, good sir; I am ill at reading writing; and +for reason good. + + NILS LYKKE. I understand; you have given most care to the trade +of arms. + (Sits down by the table on the right, and runs through the + papers.) +Aha! Here is light enough and to spare on what is brewing. + This small letter tied with a silken thread---- (Examines the +address.) This too for Olaf Skaktavl. (Opens the letter, and +glances through its contents.) From Peter Kanzler. I thought as +much. (Reads under his breath.) "I am hard bested, for----; ay, +sure enough; here it stands,--"Young Count Sture has been gathered +to his fathers, even at the time fixed for the revolt to break +forth"--"--but all may yet be made good----" What now? (Reads on +in astonishment.) "You must know, then, Olaf Skaktavl, that the +young man who brings you this letter is a son of----" Heaven and +earth--can it be so?--Ay, by Christ's blood, even so 'tis written! +(Glances at NILS STENSSON.) Can he be----? Ah, if it were so! +(Reads on.) "I have nurtured him since he was a year old; but up +to this day I have ever refused to give him back, trusting to have +in him a sure hostage for Inger Gyldenlove's faithfulness to us +and to our friends. Yet in that respect he has been of but little +service to us. You may marvel that I told you not this secret +when you were with me here of late; therefore will I confess freely +that I feared you might seize upon him, even as I had done. But +now, when you have seen Lady Inger, and have doubtless assured +yourself how loath she is to have a hand in our undertaking, you +will see that 'tis wisest to give her back her own as soon as may +be. Well might it come to pass that in her joy and security and +thankfulness--" ---- "--that is now our last hope." + (Sits for awhile as though struck dumb with surprise; then + exclaims in a low voice:) +Aha,--what a letter! Gold would not buy it! + + NILS STENSSON. 'Tis plain I have brought you weighty tidings. +Ay, ay,--Peter Kanzler has many irons in the fire, folk say. + + NILS LYKKE (to himself). What to do with all this? A thousand +paths are open to me---- Suppose I----? No, 'twere to risk too +much. But if--ah, if I----? I will venture it. + (Tears the letter across, crumples up the pieces, and hides + them inside his doublet; puts back the other papers into + the packet, which he sticks inside his belt; rises and says:) +A word, my friend! + + NILS STENSSON. Well--your looks say that the game goes bravely. + + NILS LYKKE. Ay, by my soul it does. You have given me a hand +of nought but court cards,--queens and knaves and---- + + NILS STENSSON. But what of me, that have brought all these good +tidings? Have I nought more to do? + + NILS LYKKE. You? Ay, that have you. You belong to the game. +You are a king--and king of trumps too. + + NILS STENSSON. I a king? Oh, now I understand; you are thinking +of my exaltation---- + + NILS LYKKE. Your exaltation? + + NILS STENSSON. Ay; that which you foretold me, if King Gustav's +men got me in their clutches---- + + (Makes a motion to indicate hanging.) + + NILS LYKKE. True enough;--but let that trouble you no more. It +now lies with yourself alone whether within a month you shall have +the hempen noose or a chain of gold about your neck. + + NILS STENSSON. A chain of gold? And it lies with me? + + (NILS LYKKE nods.) + + NILS STENSSON. Why then, the devil take musing! Do you tell me +what I am to do. + + NILS LYKKE. I will. But first you must swear me a solemn oath +that no living creature in the wide world shall know what I am to +tell you. + + NILS STENSSON. Is that all? You shall have ten oaths if you +will. + + NILS LYKKE. Not so lightly, young Sir! It is no jesting matter. + + NILS STENSSON. Well well; I am grave enough. + + NILS LYKKE. In the Dales you called yourself a Count's son;-- +is't not so? + + NILS STENSSON. Nay--begin you now on that again? Have I not +made free confession---- + + NILS LYKKE. You mistake me. What you said in the Dales was the +truth. + + NILS STENSSON. The truth? What mean you by that? Tell me but----! + + NILS LYKKE. First your oath! The holiest, the most inviolable +you can swear. + + NILS STENSSON. That you shall have. Yonder on the wall hangs +the picture of the Holy Virgin---- + + NILS LYKKE. The Holy Virgin has grown impotent of late. Know +you not what the monk of Wittenberg maintains? + + NILS STENSSON. Fie! how can you heed the monk of Wittenberg? +Peter Kanzler says he is a heretic. + + NILS LYKKE. Nay, let us not wrangle concerning him. Here can +I show you a saint will serve full well to make oath to. + (Points to a picture hanging on one of the panels.) +Come hither,--swear that you will be silent till I myself release +your tongue--silent, as you hope for Heaven's salvation for yourself +and for the man whose picture hangs there. + + NILS STENSSON (approaching the picture). I swear it--so help +me God's holy word! + (Falls back a step in amazement.) +But--Christ save me----! + + NILS LYKKE. What now? + + NILS STENSSON. The picture----! Sure 'tis myself! + + NILS LYKKE. 'Tis old Sten Sture, even as he lived and moved in +his youthful years. + + NILS STENSSON. Sten Sture!--And the likeness----? And--said +you not I spoke the truth, when I called myself a Count's son? +Was't not so? + + NILS LYKKE. So it was. + + NILS STENSSON. Ah, I have it, I have it! I am---- + + NILS LYKKE. You are Sten Sture's son, good Sir. + + NILS STENSSON (with the quiet of amazement). _I_ Sten Sture's son! + + NILS LYKKE. On the mother's side too your blood is noble. Peter +Kanzler spoke not the truth, if he said that a poor peasant woman +was your mother. + + NILS STENSSON. Oh strange, oh marvellous!--But can I believe----? + + NILS LYKKE. You may believe all I tell you. But remember, all +this will be merely your ruin, if you should forget what you swore +to me by your father's salvation. + + NILS STENSSON. Forget it? Nay, that you may be sure I never +shall.--But you to whom I have given my word,--tell me--who are +you? + + NILS LYKKE. My name is Nils Lykke. + + NILS STENSSON (surprised). Nils Lykke? Surely not the Danish +Councillor? + + NILS LYKKE. Even so. + + NILS STENSSON. And it was you----? 'Tis strange. How come you----? + + NILS LYKKE. ----To be receiving missives from Peter Kanzler? +You marvel at that? + + NILS STENSSON. I cannot deny it. He has ever named you as our +bitterest foe---- + + NILS LYKKE. And therefore you mistrust me? + + NILS STENSSON. Nay, not wholly that; but--well, the devil take +musing! + + NILS LYKKE. Well said. Go but your own way, and you are as sure +of the halter as you are of a Count's title and a chain of gold if +you trust to me. + + NILS STENSSON. That will I. My hand upon it, dear Sir! Do +you but help me with good counsel as long as there is need; when +counsel gives place to blows I shall look to myself. + + NILS LYKKE. It is well. Come with me now into yonder chamber, +and I will tell you how all these matters stand, and what you have +still to do. + + (Goes out to the right.) + + NILS STENSSON (with a glance at the picture). _I_ Sten Sture's +son! Oh, marvellous as a dream--! + + (Goes out after NILS LYKKE.) + + + +ACT FOURTH. + + +(The Banquet Hall, as before, but without the supper-table.) + +(BIORN, the major-domo, enters carrying a lighted branch-candlestick, + and lighting in LADY INGER and OLAF SKAKTAVL by the second door, + on the left. LADY INGER has a bundle of papers in her hand.) + + + LADY INGER (to BIORN). And you are sure my daughter spoke with +the knight, here in the hall? + + BIORN (putting down the branch-candlestick on the table on the +left). Sure as may be. I met her even as she stepped into the +passage. + + LADY INGER. And she seemed greatly moved? Said you not so? + + BIORN. She looked all pale and disturbed. I asked if she were +sick; she answered not, but said: "Go to mother and tell her the +knight sets forth ere daybreak; if she have letters or messages +for him, beg her not to delay him needlessly." And then she added +somewhat that I heard not rightly. + + LADY INGER. Did you not hear it at all? + + BIORN. It sounded to me as though she said:--"I almost fear he +has already stayed too long at Ostrat." + + LADY INGER. And the knight? Where is he? + + BIORN. In his chamber belike, in the gate-wing. + + LADY INGER. It is well. What I have to send by him is ready. +Go to him and say I await him here in the hall. + + (BIORN goes out to the right.) + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Know you, Lady Inger,--'tis true that in such +things I am blind as a mole; yet seems it to me as though--hm! + + LADY INGER. Well? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. ----As though Nils Lykke loved your daughter. + + LADY INGER. Then it seems you are not so blind after all; I am +the more deceived if you be not right. Marked you not at supper +how eagerly he listened to the least word I let fall concerning +Elina? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. He forgot both food and drink. + + LADY INGER. And our secret business as well. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ay, and what is more--the papers from Peter Kanzler. + + LADY INGER. And from all this you conclude----? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. From all this I chiefly conclude that, as you know +Nils Lykke and the name he bears, especially as concerns women---- + + LADY INGER. ----I should be right glad to know him outside my +gates? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ay; and that as soon as may be. + + LADY INGER (smiling). Nay--the case is just the contrary, Olaf +Skaktavl! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. How mean you? + + LADY INGER. If things be as we both think, Nils Lykke must in +nowise depart from Ostrat yet awhile. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (looks at her with disapproval). Are you beginning +on crooked courses again, Lady Inger? What scheme have you now in +your mind? Something that may increase your own power at the cost +of our---- + + LADY INGER. Oh this blindness, that makes you all unjust to me! +I see well you think I purpose to make Nils Lykke my daughter's +husband. Were such a thought in my mind, why had I refused to take +part in what is afoot in Sweden, when Nils Lykke and all the Danish +crew seem willing to support it? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Then if it be not your wish to win him and bind +him to you--what would you with him? + + LADY INGER. I will tell you in few words. In a letter to me, +Nils Lykke has spoken of the high fortune it were to be allied to +our house; and I do not say but, for a moment, I let myself think +of the matter. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ay, see you! + + LADY INGER. To wed Nils Lykke to one of my house were doubtless +a great step toward reconciling many jarring forces in our land. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Meseems your daughter Merete's marriage with +Vinzents Lunge might have taught you the cost of such a step as +this. Scarce had my lord gained a firm footing in our midst, when +he began to make free with both our goods and our rights---- + + LADY INGER. I know it even too well, Olaf Skaktavl! But times +there be when my thoughts are manifold and strange. I cannot impart +them fully either to you or to any one else. Often I know not what +were best for me. And yet--a second time to choose a Danish lord +for a son-in-law,--nought but the uttermost need could drive me +to that resource; and heaven be praised--things have not yet come +to that! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. I am no wiser than before, Lady Inger;--why would +you keep Nils Lykke at Ostrat? + + LADY INGER (softly). Because I owe him an undying hate. Nils +Lykke has done me deadlier wrong than any other man. I cannot +tell you wherein it lies; but I shall never rest till I am avenged +on him. See you not now? Say that Nils Lykke were to love my +daughter--as meseems were like enough. I will persuade him to +remain here; he shall learn to know Elina well. She is both fair +and wise.--Ah if he should one day come before me, with hot love +in his heart, to beg for her hand! Then--to chase him away like +a hound; to drive him off with jibes and scorn; to make it known +over all the land that Nils Lykke had come a-wooing to Ostrat in +vain! I tell you I would give ten years of my life but to see +that day! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. In faith and truth, Inger Gyldenlove--is this +your purpose towards him? + + LADY INGER. This and nought else, as sure as God lives! Trust +me, Olaf Skaktavl, I mean honestly by my countrymen; but I am in +no way my own master. Things there be that must be kept hidden, +or 'twere my death-blow. But let me once be safe on _that_ side, +and you shall see if I have forgotten the oath I swore by Knut +Alfson's corpse. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (shakes her by the hand). Thanks for those words! +I am loath indeed to think evil of you.--Yet, touching your design +towards this knight, methinks 'tis a dangerous game you would play. +What if you had misreckoned? What if your daughter----? 'Tis said +no woman can stand against this subtle devil. + + LADY INGER. My daughter? Think you that she----? Nay, have no +fear of that; I know Elina better. All she has heard of his renown +has but made her hate him the more. You saw with your own eyes---- + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ay, but--a woman's mind is shifting ground to +build on. 'Twere best you looked well before you. + + LADY INGER. That will I, be sure; I will watch them narrowly. +But even were he to succeed in luring her into his toils, I have +but to whisper two words in her ear, and---- + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. What then? + + LADY INGER. ----She will shrink from him as though he were sent +by the foul Tempter himself. Hist, Olaf Skaktavl! Here he comes. +Now be cautious. + + (NILS LYKKE enters by the foremost door on the right.) + + NILS LYKKE (approaches LADY INGER courteously). My noble hostess +has summoned me. + + LADY INGER. I have learned through my daughter that you are +minded to leave us to-night. + + NILS LYKKE. Even so, to my sorrow;--since my business at Ostrat +is over. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Not before I have the papers. + + NILS LYKKE. True, true. I had well-nigh forgotten the weightiest +part of my errand. 'Twas the fault of our noble hostess. With such +pleasant skill did she keep her guests in talk at the table---- + + LADY INGER. That you no longer remembered what had brought you +hither? I rejoice to hear it; For that was my design. Methought +that if my guest, Nils Lykke, were to feel at ease in Ostrat, he +must forget---- + + NILS LYKKE. What, lady? + + LADY INGER. ----First of all his errand--and then all that had +gone before it. + + NILS LYKKE (to OLAF SKAKTAVL, while he takes out the packet and +hands it to him). The papers from Peter Kanzler. You will find +them a full account of our partizans in Sweden. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. It is well. + + (Sits down by the table on the left, where he opens the packet + and examines its contents.) + + NILS LYKKE. And now, Lady Inger Gyldenlove--I know not that +aught remains to keep me here. + + LADY INGER. Were it things of state alone that had brought us +together, you might be right. But I should be loath to think so. + + NILS LYKKE. You would say----? + + LADY INGER. I would say that 'twas not alone as a Danish +Councillor or as the ally of Peter Kanzler that Nils Lykke came +to be my guest.--Do I err in fancying that somewhat you may have +heard down in Denmark may have made you desirous of closer +acquaintance with the Lady of Ostrat. + + NILS LYKKE. Far be it from me to deny---- + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (turning over the papers). Strange. No letter. + + NILS LYKKE. ----Lady Inger Gyldenlove's fame is all too widely +spread that I should not long have been eager to see her face +to face. + + LADY INGER. So I thought. But what, then, is an hour's jesting +talk at the supper-table? Let us try to sweep away all that has +separated us till now; it may well happen that the Nils Lykke I +know may wipe out the grudge I bore the one I knew not. Prolong +your stay here but a few days, Sir Councillor! I dare not persuade +Olaf Skaktavl thereto, since his secret charge in Sweden calls him +hence. But as for you, doubtless your sagacity has placed all +things beforehand in such train, that your presence can scarce +be needed. Trust me, your time shall not pass tediously with us; +at least you will find me and my daughter heartily desirous to do +all we may to pleasure you. + + NILS LYKKE. I doubt neither your goodwill toward me nor your +daughter's; of that I have had full proof. And you will doubtless +allow that the necessity which calls for my presence elsewhere must +be more vital, since, despite your kindness, I must declare my +longer stay at Ostrat impossible. + + LADY INGER. Is it even so!--Know you, Sir Councillor, were I +evilly disposed, I might fancy you had come to Ostrat to try a +fall with me, and that, having lost, you like not to linger on +the battlefield among the witnesses of your defeat. + + NILS LYKKE (smiling). There might be some show of reason for +such a reading of the case; but sure it is that as yet _I_ hold +not the battle lost. + + LADY INGER. Be that as it may, it might at any rate be retrieved, +if you would tarry some days with us. You see yourself, I am still +doubting and wavering at the parting of the ways,--persuading my +redoubtable assailant not to quit the field.--Well, to speak +plainly, the thing is this: your alliance with the disaffected in +Sweden still seems to me somewhat--ay, what shall I call it?-- +somewhat miraculous, Sir Councillor! I tell you this frankly, +dear Sir! The thought that has moved the King's Council to this +secret step is in truth most politic; but it is strangely at +variance with the deeds of certain of your countrymen in bygone +years. Be not offended, then, if my trust in your fair promises +needs to be somewhat strengthened ere I can place my whole welfare +in your hands. + + NILS LYKKE. A longer stay at Ostrat would scarce help towards +that end; since I purpose not to make any further effort to shake +your resolution. + + LADY INGER. Then must I pity you from my heart. Ay, Sir +Councillor--'tis true I stand here an unfriended widow; yet may +you trust my word when I prophesy that this visit to Ostrat will +strew your future path with thorns. + + NILS LYKKE (with a smile). Is that your prophecy, Lady Inger? + + LADY INGER. Truly it is! What can one say dear Sir? 'Tis a +calumnious age. Many a scurril knave will make scornful rhymes +concerning you. Ere half a year is out, you will be all men's +fable; people will stop and gaze after you on the high roads; +'twill be: "Look, look; there rides Sir Nils Lykke, that fared +north to Ostrat to trap Inger Gyldenlove, and was caught in his +own nets."--Nay nay, why so impatient, Sir Knight! 'Tis not that +_I_ think so; I do but forecast the thought of the malicious and +evil-minded; and of them, alas! there are many.--Ay, 'tis shame; +but so it is--you will reap nought but mockery--mockery, because +a woman was craftier than you. "Like a cunning fox," men will +say, "he crept into Ostrat; like a beaten hound he slunk away." +--And one thing more: think you not that Peter Kanzler and his +friends will forswear your alliance, when 'tis known that I +venture not to fight under a standard borne by you? + + NILS LYKKE. You speak wisely, lady! And so, to save myself +from mockery--and further, to avoid breaking with all our dear +friends in Sweden--I must needs---- + + LADY INGER (hastily). ----prolong your stay at Ostrat? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (who has been listening). He is in the trap! + + NILS LYKKE. No, my noble lady;--I must needs bring you to terms +within this hour. + + LADY INGER. But what if you should fail? + + NILS LYKKE. I shall _not_ fail. + + LADY INGER. You lack not confidence, it seems. + + NILS LYKKE. What shall we wager that you make not common cause +with myself and Peter Kanzler? + + LADY INGER. Ostrat Castle against your knee-buckles. + + NILS LYKKE (points to himself and cries:) Olaf Skaktavl--here +stands the master of Ostrat! + + LADY INGER. Sir Councillor----! + + NILS LYKKE (to LADY INGER). I accept not the wager; for in a +moment you will gladly give Ostrat Castle, and more to boot, to +be freed from the snare wherein not I but you are tangled. + + LADY INGER. Your jest, Sir, grows a vastly merry one. + + NILS LYKKE. 'Twill be merrier yet--at least for me. You boast +that you have overreached me. You threaten to heap on me all men's +scorn and mockery. Ah, beware that you stir not up my vengefulness; +For with two words I can bring you to your knees at my feet. + + LADY INGER. Ha-ha---- ----! + (Stops suddenly, as if struck by a foreboding.) +And the two words, Nils Lykke?--the two words----? + + NILS LYKKE. ----The secret of Sten Sture's son and yours. + + LADY INGER (with a shriek). Oh, Jesus Christ----! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Inger Gyldenlove's son! What say you? + + LADY INGER (half kneeling to NILS LYKKE). Mercy! oh be merciful +----! + + NILS LYKKE (raises her up). Collect yourself, and let us talk +calmly. + + LADY INGER (in a low voice, as though bewildered). Did you +hear it, Olaf Skaktavl? or was it but a dream? Heard you what +he said? + + NILS LYKKE. It was no dream, Lady Inger! + + LADY INGER. And you know it! You,--you!-- Where is he then? +Where have you got him? What would you do with him? (Screams.) +Do not kill him, Nils Lykke! Give him back to me! Do not kill +my child! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ah, I begin to understand---- + + LADY INGER. And this fear----this torturing dread! Through +all these years it has been ever with me---- ---- and then all +fails at last, and I must bear this agony!--Oh Lord my God, is +it right of thee? Was it for this thou gavest him to me? + (Controls herself and says with forced composure:) + Nils Lykke--tell me _one_ thing. Where have you got him? Where +is he? + + NILS LYKKE. With his foster-father. + + LADY INGER. Still with his foster-father. Oh, that merciless +man----! For ever to deny my prayers.--But it _must_ not go on +thus! Help me, Olaf Skaktavl! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. I? + + NILS LYKKE. There will be no need, if only you---- + + LADY INGER. Hearken, Sir Councillor! What you know you shall +know thoroughly. And you too, my old and faithful friend----! + Listen then. To-night you bade me call to mind that fatal day +when Knut Alfson was slain at Oslo. You bade me remember the +promise I made as I stood by his corpse amid the bravest men in +Norway. I was scarce full-grown then; but I felt God's strength +in me, and methought, as many have thought since, that the Lord +himself had set his mark on me and chosen me to fight in the +forefront for my country's cause. + Was it vanity? Or was it a calling from on high? That I have +never clearly known. But woe to him that has a great mission laid +upon him. + For seven years I fear not to say that I kept my promise +faithfully. I stood by my countrymen in all their miseries. All +my playmates were now wives and mothers. I alone could give ear +to no wooer--not to one. That you know best, Olaf Skaktavl! + Then I saw Sten Sture for the first time. Fairer man had never +met my sight. + + NILS LYKKE. Ah, now it grows clear to me! Sten Sture was then +in Norway on a secret errand. We Danes were not to know that he +wished your friends well. + + LADY INGER. Disguised as a mean serving-man he lived a whole +winter under one roof with me. + That winter I thought less and less of the country's weal---- +----. So fair a man had I never seen, and I had lived well-nigh +five-and-twenty years. + Next autumn Sten Sture came once more; and when he departed +again he took with him, in all secrecy, a little child. "Twas not +folk's evil tongues I feared; but our cause would have suffered +had it got about the Sten Sture stood so near to me. + The child was given to Peter Kanzler to rear. I waited for +better times, that were soon to come. They never came. Sten +Sture took a wife two years later in Sweden, and, dying, left +a widow---- + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. ----And with her a lawful heir to his name and +rights. + + LADY INGER. Time after time I wrote to Peter Kanzler and +besought him to give me back my child. But he was ever deaf to +my prayers. "Cast in your lot with us once for all," he said, +"and I send your son back to Norway; not before." But 'twas even +that I dared not do. We of the disaffected party were then ill +regarded by many timorous folk. If these had got tidings of how +things stood--oh, I know it!--to cripple the mother they had +gladly meted to the child the fate that would have been King +Christiern's had he not saved himself by flight.[1] + But besides that, the Danes were active. They spared neither +threats nor promises to force me to join them. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. 'Twas but reason. The eyes of all men were fixed +on you as the vane that should show them how to shape their course. + + LADY INGER. Then came Herlof Hyttefad's revolt. Do you remember +that time, Olaf Skaktavl? Was it not as though the whole land +was filled with the sunlight of a new spring. Mighty voices +summoned me to come forth;--yet I dared not. I stood doubting-- +far from the strife--in my lonely castle. At times it seemed as +though the Lord God himself were calling me; but then would come +the killing dread again to paralyse my will. "Who will win?" +that was the question that was ever ringing in my ears. + 'Twas but a short spring that had come to Norway. Herlof +Hyttefad, and many more with him, were broken on the wheel during +the months that followed. None could call me to account; yet +there lacked not covert threats from Denmark. What if they knew +the secret? At last methought they must know; I knew not how +else to understand their words. + 'Twas even in that time of agony that Gyldenlove the High +Steward, came hither and sought me in marriage. Let any mother +that has feared for her child think herself in my place!--and +homeless in the hearts of my countrymen. + Then came the quiet years. There was now no whisper of revolt. +Our masters might grind us down even as heavily as they listed. +There were times when I loathed myself. What had I to do? Nought +but to endure terror and scorn and bring forth daughters into the +world. My daughters! God forgive me if I have had no mother's +heart towards them. My wifely duties were as serfdom to me; how +then could I love my daughters? Oh, how different with my son! +_He_ was the child of my very soul. He was the one thing that +brought to mind the time when I was a woman and nought but a +woman--and him they had taken from me! He was growing up among +strangers, who might sow in him the seed of destruction! Olaf +Skaktavl--had I wandered like you on the lonely hills, hunted +and forsaken, in winter and storm--if I had but held my child +in my arms,--trust me, I had not sorrowed and wept so sore as I +have sorrowed and wept for him from his birth even to this hour. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. There is my hand. I have judged you too hardly, +Lady Inger! Command me even as before; I will obey.--Ay, by all +the saints, I know what it is to sorrow for a child. + + LADY INGER. Yours was slain by bloody men. But what is death +to the restless terror of all these long years? + + NILS LYKKE. Mark, then--'tis in your power to end this terror. +You have but to reconcile the opposing parties, and neither will +think of seizing on your child as a pledge of your faith. + + LADY INGER (to herself). This is the vengeance of Heaven. +(Looks at him.) In one word, what do you demand? + + NILS LYKKE. I demand first that you shall call the people of +the northern districts to arms, in support of the disaffected in +Sweden. + + LADY INGER. And next----? + + NILS LYKKE. ----that you do your best to advance young Count +Sture's ancestral claim to the throne of Sweden. + + LADY INGER. His? You demand that I----? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (softly). It is the wish of many Swedes, and +'twould serve our turn too. + + NILS LYKKE. You hesitate, lady? You tremble for your son's +safety. What better can you wish than to see his half-brother +on the throne? + + LADY INGER (in thought). True--true---- + + NILS LYKKE (looks at her sharply). Unless there be other plans +afoot---- + + LADY INGER. What mean you? + + NILS LYKKE. Inger Gyldenlove might have a mind to be a--a +kings mother. + + LADY INGER. No, no! Give me back my child, and let who will +have the crowns. + But know you so surely that Count Sture is willing----? + + NILS LYKKE. Of that he will himself assure you. + + LADY INGER. Himself? + + NILS LYKKE. Even now. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. How now? + + LADY INGER. What say you? + + NILS LYKKE. In one word, Count Sture is in Ostrat. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Here? + + NILS LYKKE (to LADY INGER). You have doubtless been told that +another rode through the gate along with me? The Count was my +attendant. + + LADY INGER (softly). I am in his power. I have no longer any +choice. + (Looks at him and says:) +'Tis well, Sir Councillor--I will assure you of my support. + + NILS LYKKE. In writing? + + LADY INGER. As you will. + + (Goes to the table on the left, sits down, and takes writing + materials from the drawer.) + + NILS LYKKE (aside, standing by the table on the right). At last, +then, I win! + + LADY INGER (after a moment's thought, turns suddenly in her chair +to OLAF SKAKTAVL and whispers). Olaf Skaktavl--I am certain of it +now--Nils Lykke is a traitor! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (softly). What? You think----? + + LADY INGER. He has treachery in his heart + + (Lays the paper before her and dips the pen in the ink.) + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. And yet you would give him a written promise +that may be your ruin? + + LADY INGER. Hush; leave me to act. Nay, wait and listen +first---- + + (Talks with him in a whisper.) + + NILS LYKKE (softly, watching them). Ah, take counsel together +as much as ye list! All danger is over now. With her written +consent in my pocket, I can denounce her when I please. A secret +message to Jens Bielke this very night.--I tell him but the truth-- +that the young Count Sture is not at Ostrat. And then to-morrow, +when the road is open--to Trondhiem with my young friend, and +thence by ship to Copenhagen with him as my prisoner. Once we +have him safe in the castle-tower, we can dictate to Lady Inger +what terms we will. And I----? Methinks after this the King will +scarce place the French mission in other hands than mine. + + LADY INGER (still whispering to OLAF SKAKTAVL). Well, you +understand me? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ay, fully. Let us risk it. + + (Goes out by the back, to the right. NILS STENSSON comes in + by the first door on the right, unseen by LADY INGER, who + has begun to write.) + + NILS STENSSON (in a low voice). Sir Knight,--Sir Knight! + + NILS LYKKE (moves towards him). Rash boy! What would you here? +Said I not you were to wait within until I called you? + + NILS STENSSON. How could I? Now you have told me that Inger +Gyldenlove is my mother, I thirst more than ever to see her face +to face---- + Oh, it is she! How proud and lofty she seems! Even thus did I +ever picture her. Fear not, dear Sir, I shall do nought rashly. +Since I have learnt this secret, I feel, as it were, older and +wiser. I will no longer be wild and heedless; I will be even as +other well-born youths.--Tell me,--knows she that I am here? +Surely you have prepared her? + + NILS LYKKE. Ay, sure enough; but---- + + NILS STENSSON. Well? + + NILS LYKKE. ----She will not own you for her son. + + NILS STENSSON. Will not own me? But she _is_ my mother.--Oh, +if there be no other way--(takes out a ring which he wears on a +cord round his neck)--show her this ring. I have worn it since +my earliest childhood; she must surely know its history. + + NILS LYKKE. Hide the ring, man! Hide it, I say! + You mistake me. Lady Inger doubts not at all that you are her +child; but--ay, look about you; look at all this wealth; look at +these mighty ancestors and kinsmen whose pictures deck the walls +both high and low; look lastly at herself, the haughty dame, used +to bear sway as the first noblewoman in the kingdom. Think you +it can be to her mind to take a poor ignorant youth by the hand +before all men's eyes and say: Behold my son! + + NILS STENSSON. Ay, you are right, I am poor and ignorant. I +have nought to offer her in return for what I crave. Oh, never +have I felt my poverty weigh on me till this hour! But tell me-- +what think you I should do to win her love? Tell me, dear Sir; +sure you must know. + + NILS LYKKE. You must win your father's kingdom. But until that +may be, look well that you wound not her ears by hinting at kinship +or the like. She will bear her as though she believed you to be +the real Count Sture, until you have made yourself worthy to be +called her son. + + NILS STENSSON. Oh, but tell me----! + + NILS LYKKE. Hush; hush! + + LADY INGER (rises and hands him a paper). Sir Knight--here is +my promise. + + NILS LYKKE. I thank you. + + LADY INGER (notices NILS STENSSON). Ah,--this young man is----? + + NILS LYKKE. Ay, Lady Inger, he is Count Sture. + + LADY INGER (aside, looks at him stealthily). Feature for +feature;--ay, by God,--it is Sten Sture's son! + (Approaches him and says with cold courtesy.) + I bid you welcome under my roof, Count! It rests with you whether +or not we shall bless this meeting a year hence. + + NILS STENSSON. With me? Oh, do but tell me what I must do! +Trust me, I have courage and good-will enough---- + + NILS LYKKE (listens uneasily). What is this noise and uproar, +Lady Inger? There are people pressing hitherward. What does this +mean? + + LADY INGER (in a loud voice). 'Tis the spirits awaking! + + (OLAF SKAKTAVL, EINAR HUK, BIORN, FINN, and a number of Peasants +and Retainers come in from the back, on the right.) + + THE PEASANTS AND RETAINERS. Hail to Lady Inger Gyldenlove! + + LADY INGER (to OLAF SKAKTAVL). Have you told them what is in +hand? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. I have told them all they need to know. + + LADY INGER (to the Crowd). Ay, now, my faithful house-folk and +peasants, now must ye arm you as best you can and will. What I +forbade you to-night you have now my fullest leave to do. And +here I present to you the young Count Sture, the coming ruler of +Sweden--and Norway too, if God will it so. + + THE WHOLE CROWD. Hail to him! Hail to Count Sture! + + (General excitement. The Peasants and Retainers choose out + weapons and put on breastplates and helmets, amid great noise.) + + NILS LYKKE (softly and uneasily). The spirits awaking, she said? +I but feigned to conjure up the devil of revolt--'twere a cursed +spite if he got the upper hand of us. + + LADY INGER (to NILS STENSSON). Here I give you the first earnest +of our service--thirty mounted men, to follow you as bodyguard. +Trust me--ere you reach the frontier many hundreds will have ranged +themselves under my banner and yours. Go, then, and God be with +you! + + NILS STENSSON. Thanks,--Inger Gyldenlove! Thanks--and be sure +that you shall never have cause to shame you for--for Count Sture! +If you see me again I shall have won my father's kingdom. + + NILS LYKKE (to himself). Ay, _if_ she see you again! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. The horses wait, good fellows! Are ye ready? + + THE PEASANTS. Ay, ay, ay! + + NILS LYKKE (uneasily, to LADY INGER). What? You mean not to- +night, even now----? + + LADY INGER. This very moment, Sir Knight! + + NILS LYKKE. Nay, nay, impossible! + + LADY INGER. I have said it. + + NILS LYKKE (softly, to NILS STENSSON). Obey her not! + + NILS STENSSON. How can I otherwise? I _will_; I _must!_ + + NILS LYKKE (with authority). And _me!_ + + NILS STENSSON. I shall keep my word; be sure of that. The +secret shall not pass my lips till you yourself release me. But +she is my mother! + + NILS LYKKE (aside). And Jens Bielke in wait on the road! +Damnation! He will snatch the prize out of my fingers---- + (To LADY INGER.) +Wait till to-morrow! + + LADY INGER (to NILS STENSSON). Count Sture--do you obey me or +not? + + NILS STENSSON. To horse! (Goes up towards the background). + + NILS LYKKE (aside). Unhappy boy! He knows not what he does. + (To LADY INGER.) + Well, since so it must be,--farewell! + + (Bows hastily, and begins to move away.) + + LADY INGER (detains him). Nay, stay! Not so, Sir Knight,-- +not so! + + NILS LYKKE. What mean you? + + LADY INGER (in a low voice). Nils Lykke--you are a traitor! +Hush! Let no one see there is dissension in the camp of the +leaders. You have won Peter Kanzler's trust by some devilish +cunning that as yet I see not through. You have forced me to +rebellious acts--not to help our cause, but to further your own +plots, whatever they may be. I can draw back no more. But think +not therefore that you have conquered! I shall contrive to make +you harmless---- + + NILS LYKKE (lays his hand involuntarily on his sword). Lady +Inger! + + LADY INGER. Be calm, Sir Councillor! Your life is safe. But +you come not outside the gates of Ostrat before victory is ours. + + NILS LYKKE. Death and destruction! + + LADY INGER. It boots not to resist. You come not from this +place. So rest you quiet; 'tis your wisest course. + + NILS LYKKE (to himself). Ah,--I am overreached. She has been +craftier than I. (A thought strikes him.) But if I yet----? + + LADY INGER (to OLAF SKAKTAVL). Ride with Count Sture's troops +to the frontier; then without pause to Peter Kanzler, and bring +me back my child. Now has he no longer any plea for keeping from +me what is my own. + (Adds, as OLAF SKAKTAVL is going:) + Wait; a token.--He that wears Sten Sture's ring is my son. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. By all the saints, you shall have him! + + LADY INGER. Thanks,--thanks, my faithful friend! + + NILS LYKKE (to FINN, whom he has beckoned to him unobserved, +and with whom he has been whispering). Good--now manage to slip +out. Let none see you. The Swedes are in ambush two miles hence. +Tell the commander that Count Sture is dead. The young man you +see there must not be touched. Tell the commander so. Tell him +the boy's life is worth thousands to me. + + FINN. It shall be done. + + LADY INGER (who has meanwhile been watching NILS LYKKE). And +now go, all of you; go with God! (Points to NILS LYKKE.) This +noble knight cannot find it in his heart to leave his friends at +Ostrat so hastily. He will abide here with me till the tidings +of your victory arrive. + + NILS LYKKE (to himself). Devil! + + NILS STENSSON (seizes his hand). Trust me--you shall not have +long to wait! + + NILS LYKKE. It is well; it is well! (Aside.) All may yet be +saved. If only my message reach Jens Bielke in time---- + + LADY INGER (to EINAR HUK, the bailiff, pointing to FINN). And +let that man be placed under close guard in the castle dungeon. + + FINN. Me? + + THE BAILIFF AND THE SERVANTS. Finn! + + NILS LYKKE (aside). My last anchor gone! + + LADY INGER (imperatively). To the dungeon with him! + + (EINAR HUK, BIORN, and a couple of the house-servants lead + FINN out to the left.) + + ALL THE REST (except NILS LYKKE, rushing out to the right). +Away! To horse,--to horse! Hail to Lady Inger Gyldenlove! + + LADY INGER (passes close to NILS LYKKE as she follows the others). +Who wins? + + NILS LYKKE (remains alone). Who? Ay, woe to you;--your victory +will cost you dear. _I_ wash my hands of it. 'Tis not _I_ that +am murdering him. + But my prey is escaping me none the less; and the revolt will +grow and spread!--Ah, 'tis a foolhardy, a frantic game I have been +playing here! + (Listens at the window.) +There they go clattering out through the gateway.--Now 'tis closed +after them--and I am left here a prisoner. + No way of escape! Within half-an-hour the Swedes will be upon +him. 'Twill be life or death. + But if they should take him alive after all?--Were I but free, +I could overtake the Swedes ere they reach the frontier, and make +them deliver him up. (Goes towards the window in the background +and looks out.) Damnation! Guards outside on every hand. Can +there be no way out of this? (Comes quickly forward again; +suddenly stops and listens.) + What is that? Music and singing. It seems to come from Elina's +chamber. Ay, it is she that is singing. Then she is still awake---- + (A thought seems to strike him.) +Elina!--Ah, if _that_ could be! If it could but----And why should +I not? Am I not still myself? Says not the song:-- + + _Fair maidens a-many they sigh and they pine; + "Ah God, that Nils Lykke were mine, mine, mine."_ + +And she----? ---- ----Elina Gyldenlove shall set me free! + + (Goes quickly but stealthily towards the first door on + the left.) + + +NOTES. + +[1] King Christian II. of Denmark (the perpetrator of the massacre +at Stockholm known as the Blood-Bath) fled to Holland in 1523, five +years before the date assigned to this play, in order to escape +death or imprisonment at the hands of his rebellious nobles, who +summoned his uncle, Frederick I., to the throne. Returning to +Denmark in 1532, Christian was thrown into prison, where he spent +the last twenty-seven years of his life. + + + +ACT FIFTH. + + +(The Banquet Hall. It is still night. The hall is but dimly + lighted by a branch-candlestick on the table, in front, on + the right.) + +(LADY INGER is sitting by the table, deep in thought.) + + + LADY INGER (after a pause). They call me keen-witted beyond +all others in the land. I believe they are right. The keenest- +witted---- No one knows how I became so. For more than twenty +years I have fought to save my child. _That_ is the key to the +riddle. Ay, that sharpens the wits! + My wits? Where have they flown to-night? What has become of +my forethought? There is a ringing and rushing in my ears. I +see shapes before me, so life-like that methinks I could lay hold +on them. + (Springs up.) +Lord Jesus--what is this? Am I no longer mistress of my reason? +Is it to come to that----? + (Presses her clasped hands over her head; sits down again, and +says more calmly:) +Nay, 'tis nought. It will pass. There is no fear;--it will pass. + How peaceful it is in the hall to-night! No threatening looks +from forefathers or kinsfolk. No need to turn their faces to the +wall. + (Rises again.) +Ay, 'twas well that I took heart at last. We shall conquer;--and +then I am at the end of my longings. I shall have my child again. + (Takes up the light as if to go, but stops and says musingly:) +At the end? The end? To get him back? Is that all?--is there +nought further? + (Sets the light down on the table.) +That heedless word that Nils Lykke threw forth at random---- How +could he see my unborn thought? + (More softly.) + A king's mother? A king's mother, he said----Why not? Have not +my forefathers ruled as kings, even though they bore not the kingly +name? Has not _my_ son as good a title as the other to the rights +of the house of Sture? In the sight of God he has--if so be there +is justice in Heaven. + And in an hour of terror I have signed away his rights. I have +recklessly squandered them, as a ransom for his freedom. + If they could be recovered?--Would Heaven be angered, if I----? +Would it call down fresh troubles on my head if I were to----? +Who knows; who knows! It may be safest to refrain. (Takes up the +light again.) I shall have my child again. _That_ must suffice +me. I will try to rest. All these desperate thoughts,--I will +sleep them away. + (Goes towards the back, but stops in the middle of the hall, + and says broodingly:) +A king's mother! + + (Goes slowly out at the back, to the left.) + + (After a short pause, NILS LYKKE and ELINA GYLDENLOVE enter + noiselessly by the first door on the left. NILS LYKKE has + a small lantern in his hand.) + + NILS LYKKE. (throws the light from his lantern around, so as to +search the room). All is still. I must begone. + + ELINA. Oh, let me look but once more into your eyes, before +you leave me. + + NILS LYKKE (embraces her). Elina! + + ELINA (after a short pause). Will you come nevermore to Ostrat? + + NILS LYKKE. How can you doubt that I will come? Are you not +henceforth my betrothed?--But will _you_ be true to _me_, Elina? +Will you not forget me ere we meet again? + + ELINA. Do you ask if I _will_ be true? Have I any will left +then? Have I power to be untrue to you, even if I would?--you +came by night; you knocked upon my door;--and I opened to you. +You spoke to me. What was it you said? You gazed in my eyes. +What was the mystic might that turned my brain and lured me, as +it were, within a magic net? (Hides her face on his shoulder.) +Oh, look not on me, Nils Lykke! You must not look upon me after +this---- True, say you ? Do you not own me? I am yours;--I +must be yours--to all eternity. + + NILS LYKKE. Now, by my knightly honour, ere the year be past, +you shall sit as my wife in the hall of my fathers. + + ELINA. No vows, Nils Lykke! No oaths to me. + + NILS LYKKE. What mean you? Why do you shake your head so +mournfully? + + ELINA. Because I know that the same soft words wherewith you +turned my brain, you have whispered to so many a one before. Nay, +nay, be not angry, my beloved! In nought do I reproach you, as +I did while yet I knew you not. Now I understand how high above +all others is your goal. How can love be aught to you but a +pastime, or woman but a toy? + + NILS LYKKE. Elina,--hear me! + + ELINA. As I grew up, your name was ever in my ears. I hated +the name, for meseemed that all women were dishonoured by your +life. And yet,--how strange!--when I built up in my dreams the +life that should be mine, you were ever my hero, though I knew +it not. Now I understand it all--now know I what it was I felt. +It was a foreboding, a mysterious longing for you, you only one-- +for you that were one day to come and glorify my life. + + NILS LYKKE (aside, putting down the lantern on the table). How +is it with me? This dizzy fascination---- If this it be to love, +then have I never known it till this hour.--Is there not yet time +----? Oh horror--Lucia! + + (Sinks into a chair.) + + ELINA. What ails you? So heavy a sigh---- + + NILS LYKKE. O, 'tis nought,--nought! Elina,--now will I confess +all to you. I have have beguiled many with both words and glances; +I have said to many a one what I whispered to you this night. But +trust me---- + + ELINA. Hush! No more of that. My love is no exchange for that +you give me. No, no; I love you because your every glance commands +it like a king's decree. + (Lies down at his feet.) +Oh, let me once more stamp that kingly message deep into my soul, +though well I know it stands imprinted there for all time and +eternity. + Dear God--how little I have known myself! 'Twas but to-night I +said to my mother: "My pride is my life." And what is my pride? +Is it to know that my countrymen are free, or that my house is +held in honour throughout the lands? Oh, no, no! My love is my +pride. The little dog is proud when he may sit by his master's +feet and eat bread-crumbs from his hand. Even so am I proud, so +long as I may sit at your feet, while your looks and your words +nourish me with the bread of life. See, therefore, I say to you, +even as I said but now to my mother: "My love is my life;" for +therein lies all my pride, now and evermore. + + NILS LYKKE (raises her up on his lap). Nay, nay--not at my feet, +but at my side is your place,--should fate set me never so high. +Ay, Elina--you have led me into a better path; and if it be granted +me some day to atone by a deed of fame for the sins of my reckless +youth, the honour shall be yours as well as mine. + + ELINA. Ah, you speak as though I were still the Elina that but +this evening flung down the flowers at your feet. + I have read in my books of the many-coloured life in far-off lands. +To the winding of horns the knight rides forth into the greenwood, +with his falcon on his wrist. Even so do you go your way through +life;--your name rings out before you whithersoever you fare.--All +that I desire of your glory, is to rest like the falcon on your +arm. I too was blind as he to light and life, till you loosed +the hood from my eyes and set me soaring high over the leafy tree- +tops;--But, trust me--bold as my flight may be, yet shall I ever +turn back to my cage. + + NILS LYKKE (rises). Then I bid defiance to the past! See now;-- +take this ring, and be _mine_ before God and men--_mine_, ay,though +it should trouble the dreams of the dead. + + ELINA. You make me afraid. What is it that----? + + NILS LYKKE. It is nought. Come, let me place the ring on your +finger.--Even so--now are you my betrothed! + + ELINA. _I_ Nils Lykke's bride! It seems but a dream, all that +has befallen this night. Oh, but so fair a dream! My breast is +so light. No longer is there bitterness and hatred in my soul. +I will atone to all whom I have wronged. I have been unloving to +my mother. To-morrow will I go to her; she must forgive me my +offence. + + NILS LYKKE. And give her consent to our bond. + + ELINA. That will she. Oh, I am sure she will. My mother is +kind; all the world is kind;--I can feel hatred no more for any +living soul--save _one_. + + NILS LYKKE. Save _one ?_ + + ELINA. Ah, it is a mournful history. I had a sister---- + + NILS LYKKE. Lucia? + + ELINA. Have you known Lucia? + + NILS LYKKE. No, no; I have but heard her name. + + ELINA. She too gave her heart to a knight. He betrayed her;-- +and now she is in Heaven. + + NILS LYKKE. And you----? + + ELINA. I hate him. + + NILS LYKKE. Hate him not! If there be mercy in your heart, +forgive him his sin. Trust me, he bears his punishment in his +own breast. + + ELINA. Him I will never forgive! I _cannot_, even if I would; +for I have sworn so dear an oath---- + (Listening.) +Hush! Can you hear----? + + NILS LYKKE. What? Where? + + ELINA. Without; far off. The noise of many horsemen on the +high-road. + + NILS LYKKE. Ah, it is they! And I had forgotten----! They +are coming hither. Then is the danger great;--I must begone! + + ELINA. But whither? Oh, Nils Lykke, what are you hiding----? + + NILS LYKKE. To-morrow, Elina----; for as God lives, I will +return then.--Quickly now--where is the secret passage you told +me of? + + ELINA. Through the grave-vault. See,--here is the trap-door. + + NILS LYKKE. The grave-vault! (To himself.) No matter, he +_must_ be saved! + + ELINA (by the window). The horsemen have reached the gate---- + + (Hands him the lantern.) + + NILS LYKKE. Well, now I go---- + + (Begins to descend.) + + ELINA. Go forward along the passage till you reach the coffin +with the death's-head and the black cross; it is Lucia's---- + + NILS LYKKE (climbs back hastily and shuts the trap-door to). +Lucia's! Pah----! + + ELINA. What said you? + + NILS LYKKE. Nay, nought. It was the scent of the grave that +made me dizzy. + + ELINA. Hark; they are hammering at the gate! + + NILS LYKKE (lets the lantern fall). Ah! too late----! + + (BIORN enters hurriedly from the right, carrying a light.) + + ELINA (goes towards him). What is amiss, Biorn? What is it? + + BIORN. An ambuscade! Count Sture---- + + ELINA. Count Sture? What of him? + + NILS LYKKE. Have they killed him? + + BIORN (to ELINA). Where is your mother? + + TWO HOUSE-SERVANTS (rushing in from the right). Lady Inger! +Lady Inger! + + (LADY INGER GYLDENLOVE enters by the first door on the left, + with a branch-candlestick, lighted, in her hand, and says + quickly:) + + LADY INGER. I know all. Down with you to the courtyard! Keep +the gate open for our friends, but closed against all others! + + (Puts down the candlestick on the table to the left. BIORN + and the two House-Servants go out again to the right.) + + LADY INGER (to NILS LYKKE). So _that _ was the trap, Sir +Councillor! + + NILS LYKKE. Inger Gyldenlove, trust me----! + + LADY INGER. An ambuscade that was to snap him up, as soon as +you had got the promise that should destroy me! + + NILS LYKKE (takes out the paper and tears it to pieces). There +is your promise. I keep nothing that can bear witness against you. + + LADY INGER. What will you do? + + NILS LYKKE. From this hour I am your champion. If I have sinned +against you,--by Heaven I will strive to repair my crime. But now +I _must_ out, if I have to hew my way through the gate!--Elina-- +tell your mother all!--And you, Lady Inger, let our reckoning be +forgotten! Be generous--and silent! Trust me, ere the day dawns +you shall owe me a life's gratitude. + + (Goes out quickly to the right.) + + LADY INGER (looks after him with exultation). It is well! I +understand him! + (Turns to ELINA.) + Nils Lykke----? Well----? + + ELINA. He knocked upon my door, and set this ring upon my finger. + + LADY INGER. And he loves you with all his heart? + + ELINA. My mother--you are so strange. Oh, ay--I know--it is +my unloving ways that have angered you. + + LADY INGER. Not so, dear Elina! You are an obedient child. You +have opened your door to him; you have hearkened to his soft words. +I know full well what it must have cost you for I know your hatred---- + + ELINA. But, my mother---- + + LADY INGER. Hush! We have played into each other's hands. What +wiles did you use, my subtle daughter? I saw the love shine out of +his eyes. Hold him fast now! Draw the net closer and closer about +him, and then---- Ah, Elina, if we could but rend his perjured +heart within his breast! + + ELINA. Woe is me--what is it you say? + + LADY INGER. Let not your courage fail you. Hearken to me. I +know a word that will keep you firm. Know then---- (Listening.) +They are fighting outside the gate. Courage! Now comes the pinch! +(Turns again to ELINA.) Know then, Nils Lykke was the man that +brought your sister to her grave. + + ELINA (with a shriek). Lucia! + + LADY INGER. He it was, as truly as there is an Avenger above us! + + ELINA. Then Heaven be with me! + + LADY INGER (appalled). Elina----?! + + ELINA. I am his bride in the sight of God. + + LADY INGER. Unhappy child,--what have you done? + + ELINA (in a toneless voice). Made shipwreck of my soul.--Good- +night, my mother! + + (She goes out to the left.) + + LADY INGER. Ha-ha-ha! It goes down-hill now with Inger +Gyldenlove's house. There went the last of my daughters. + Why could I not keep silence? Had she known nought, it may be +she had been happy--after a kind. + It _was_ to be so. It is written up there in the stars that I +am to break off one green branch after another, till the trunk +stand leafless at last. + 'Tis well, 'tis well! I am to have my son again. Of the others, +of my daughters, I will not think. + My reckoning? To face my reckoning?--It falls not due till the +last great day of wrath.--_That_ comes not yet awhile. + + NILS STENSSON (calling from outside on the right). Ho--shut +the gate! + + LADY INGER. Count Sture's voice----! + + NILS STENSSON (rushes in, unarmed, and with his clothes torn, and +shouts with a desperate laugh). Well met again, Inger Gyldenlove! + + LADY INGER. What have you lost? + + NILS STENSSON. My kingdom and my life! + + LADY INGER. And the peasants? My servants?--where are they? + + NILS STENSSON. You will find the carcasses along the highway. +Who has the rest, I know not. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (outside on the right). Count Sture! Where +are you? + + NILS STENSSON. Here, here! + + (OLAF SKAKTAVL comes in with his right hand wrapped in a cloth). + + LADY INGER. Alas Olaf Skaktavl, you too----! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. It was impossible to break through. + + LADY INGER. You are wounded, I see! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. A finger the less; that is all. + + NILS STENSSON. Where are the Swedes? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. At our heels. They are breaking open the gate---- + + NILS STENSSON. Oh, Jesus! No, no! I _cannot_--I _will_ not +die. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. A hiding-place, Lady Inger! Is there no corner +where we can hide him? + + LADY INGER. But if they search the castle----? + + NILS STENSSON. Ay, ay; they will find me! And then to be +dragged to prison, or strung up----! Oh no, Inger Gyldenlove,-- +I know full well,--you will never suffer that to be! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL (listening). There burst the lock. + + LADY INGER (at the window). Many men rush in at the gateway. + + NILS STENSSON. And to lose my life _now!_ Now, when my true +life was but beginning! Now, when I have so lately learnt that +I have aught to live for. No, no, no!--Think not I am a coward. +Might I but have time to show---- + + LADY INGER. I hear them now in the hall below. + (Firmly to OLAF SKAKTAVL.) + He _must_ be saved--cost what it will! + + NILS STENSSON (seizes her hand). Oh, I knew it;--you are noble +and good! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. But how? Since we cannot hide him---- + + NILS STENSSON. Ah, I have it! I have it! The secret----! + + LADY INGER. The secret? + + NILS STENSSON. Even so; yours and mine! + + LADY INGER. Christ in Heaven--you know it? + + NILS STENSSON. From first to last. And now when 'tis life or +death---- Where is Nils Lykke? + + LADY INGER. Fled. + + NILS STENSSON. Fled? Then God help me; for he only can unseal +my lips.--But what is a promise against a life! When the Swedish +captain comes---- + + LADY INGER. What then? What will you do? + + NILS STENSSON. Purchase life and freedom;--tell him all. + + LADY INGER. Oh no, no;--be merciful! + + NILS STENSSON. Nought else can save me. When I have told him +what I know---- + + LADY INGER (looks at him with suppressed excitement). You will +be safe? + + NILS STENSSON. Ay, safe! Nils Lykke will speak for me. You +see, 'tis the last resource. + + LADY INGER (composedly, with emphasis). The last resource? +Right, right--the last resource stands open to all. (Points to +the left.) See, meanwhile you can hide in there. + + NILS STENSSON (softly). Trust me--you will never repent of this. + + LADY INGER (half to herself). God grant that you speak the truth! + + (NILS STENSSON goes out hastily by the furthest door on the + left. OLAF SKAKTAVL is following; but LADY INGER detains + him.) + + LADY INGER. Did you understand his meaning? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. The dastard! He would betray your secret. He +would sacrifice your son to save himself. + + LADY INGER. When life is at stake, he said, we must try the +last resource.--It is well, Olaf Skaktavl,--let it be as he has +said! + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. What mean you? + + LADY INGER. Life for life! One of them must perish. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ah--you would----? + + LADY INGER. If we close not the lips of him that is within ere +he come to speech with the Swedish captain, then is my son lost +to me. But if he be swept from my path, when the time comes I can +claim all his rights for my own child. Then shall you see that +Inger Ottisdaughter has metal in her yet. And be assured you +shall not have long to wait for the vengeance you have thirsted +after for twenty years.--Hark! They are coming up the stairs! +Olaf Skaktavl,--it lies with you whether to-morrow I shall be a +childless woman, or---- + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. So be it! I have one sound hand left yet. +(Gives her his hand.) Inger Gyldenlove--your name shall not +die out through me. + + (Follows NILS STENSSON into the inner room.) + + LADY INGER (pale and trembling). But dare I----? + (A noise is heard in the room; she rushes with a scream towards + the door.) + No, no,--it must not be! + (A heavy fall is heard within; she covers her ears with her + hands and hurries back across the hall with a wild look. + After a pause she takes her hands cautiously away, listens + again and says softly:) + Now it is over. All is still within---- + Thou sawest it, God--I repented me! But Olaf Skaktavl was too +swift of hand. + + (OLAF SKAKTAVL comes silently into the hall.) + + LADY INGER (after a pause, without looking at him). Is it done? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. You need fear him no more; he will betray no one. + + LADY INGER (as before). Then he is dumb? + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. Six inches of steel in his breast. I felled him +with my left hand. + + LADY INGER. Ay--the right was too good for such work. + + OLAF SKAKTAVL. That is your affair;--the thought was yours.-- +And now to Sweden! Peace be with you meanwhile! When next we +meet at Ostrat, I shall bring another with me. + + (Goes out by the furthest door on the right.) + + LADY INGER. Blood on my hands. Then it was to come to that!-- +He begins to be dear-bought now. + + (BIORN comes in, with a number of Swedish men-at-arms, by the + first door on the right.) + + ONE OF THE MEN-AT-ARMS. Pardon me, if you are the lady of the +house---- + + LADY INGER. Is it Count Sture you seek? + + THE MAN-AT-ARMS. The same. + + LADY INGER. Then you are on the right scent. The Count has +sought refuge with me. + + THE MAN-AT-ARMS. Refuge? Pardon, my noble lady,--you have no +power to harbour him; for---- + + LADY INGER. That the Count himself has doubtless understood; +and therefore he has--ay, look for yourselves--therefore he has +taken his own life. + + THE MAN-AT-ARMS. His own life! + + LADY INGER. Look for yourselves. You will find the corpse +within there. And since he already stands before another judge, +it is my prayer that he may be borne hence with all the honour +that beseems his noble birth.--Biorn, you know my own coffin has +stood ready this many a year in the secret chamber. (To the Men- +at-Arms.) I pray that in it you will bear Count Sture's body +to Sweden. + + THE MAN-AT-ARMS. It shall be as you command. (To one of the +others.) Haste with these tidings to Jens Bielke. He holds the +road with the rest of the troop. We others must in and---- + + (One of the Men-at-Arms goes out to the right; the others + go with BIORN into the room on the left.) + + LADY INGER (moves about for a time in uneasy silence). If Count +Sture had not said farewell to the world so hurriedly, within a +month he had hung on a gallows, or had sat for all his days in a +dungeon. Had he been better served with such a lot? + Or else he had bought his life by betraying my child into the +hands of my foes. Is it _I_, then, that have slain him? Does +not even the wolf defend her cubs? Who dare condemn me for +striking my claws into him that would have reft me of my flesh +and blood?--It had to be. No mother but would have done even +as I. + But 'tis no time for idle musings now. I must to work. + (Sits down by the table on the left.) + I will write to all my friends throughout the land. They rise +as one man to support the great cause. A new king,--regent first, +and then king---- + (Begins to write, but falls into thought, and says softly:) + Whom will they choose in the dead man's place?--A king's mother----? +'Tis a fair word. It has but one blemish--the hateful likeness to +another word.--King's _mother_ and king's _murderer_.*--King's +mother--one that takes a king's life. King's mother--one that +gives a king life. + + *The words in the original are "Kongemoder" and "Kongemorder," + a difference of one letter only. + + (She rises.) + Well, then; I will make good what I have taken.--My son shall +be king! + (She sits down again and begins writing, but pushes the paper + away again, and leans back in her chair.) + There is no comfort in a house where lies a corpse. 'Tis +therefore I feel so strangely. (Turns her head to one side as +if speaking to some one.) Not therefore? Why else should it be? + (Broodingly.) + Is there such a great gulf, then, between openly striking down +a foe and slaying one--thus? Knut Alfson had cleft many a brain +with his sword; yet was his own as peaceful as a child's. Why +then do I ever see this--(makes a motion as though striking with +a knife)--this stab in the heart--and the gush of red blood after? + (Rings, and goes on speaking while shifting about her papers.) +Hereafter I will have none of these ugly sights. I will work +both day and night. And in a month--in a month my son will be +here---- ---- + + BIORN (entering). Did you strike the bell, my lady? + + LADY INGER (writing). Bring more lights. See to it in future +that there are many lights in the room + + (BIORN goes out again to the left.) + + LADY INGER (after a pause, rises impetuously). No, no, no;--I +cannot guide the pen to-night! My head is burning and throbbing---- + (Startled, listens.) +What is _that?_ Ah, they are screwing the lid on the coffin in +there. + When I was a child they told me the story of Sir Age,* who rose +up and walked with his coffin on his back.--If he in there were +one night to think of coming with the coffin on his back, to thank +me for the loan? (Laughs quietly.) Hm--what have we grown people +to do with childish fancies? (Vehemently.) But such stories are +hurtful none the less! They give uneasy dreams. When my son is +king, they shall be forbidden. + + *Pronounce _Oaghe_. [Note: "Age" has a ring above the "A", + "Oaghe" an umlaut above the "e".--D. L.] + + (Goes up and down once or twice; then opens the window.) + How long is it, commonly, ere a body begins to rot? All the +rooms must be aired. 'Tis not wholesome here till that be done. + + (BIORN comes in with two lighted branch-candlesticks, which + he places on the tables.) + + LADY INGER (who has begun on the papers again). +It is well. See you forget not what I have said. Many lights on +the table! + What are they about now in there? + + BIORN. They are busy screwing down the coffin-lid. + + LADY INGER (writing). Are they screwing it down _tight?_ + + BIORN. As tight as need be. + + LADY INGER. Ay, ay--who can tell how tight it needs to be? Do +you see that 'tis well done. + (Goes up to him with her hand full of papers, and says + mysteriously:) +Biorn, you are an old man; but _one_ counsel I will give you. Be +on your guard against all men--both those that _are_ dead and those +that are still to die.--Now go in--go in and see to it that they +screw the lid down tightly. + + BIORN (softly, shaking his head). I cannot make her out. + + (Goes back again into the room on the left.) + + LADY INGER (begins to seal a letter, but throws it down half- +closed; walks up and down awhile, and then says vehemently:) + Were I a coward I had never done it--never to all eternity! +Were I a coward, I had shrieked to myself: Refrain, ere yet thy +soul is utterly lost! + (Her eye falls on Sten Sture's picture; she turns to avoid + seeing it, and says softly:) + He is laughing down at me as though he were alive! Pah! + (Turns the picture to the wall without looking at it.) + Wherefore did you laugh? Was it because I did evil to your son? +But the other,--is not he your son too? And he is _mine_ as well; +mark that! + (Glances stealthily along the row of pictures.) + So wild as they are to-night, I have never seen them yet. Their +eyes follow me wherever I may go. (Stamps on the floor.) I will +not have it! (Begins to turn all the pictures to the wall.) Ay, +if it were the Holy Virgin herself---- ----- Thinkest thou _now_ +is the time----? Why didst thou never hear my prayers, my burning +prayers, that I might get back my child? Why? Because the monk +of Wittenberg is right. There is no mediator between God and man! + (She draws her breath heavily and continues in ever-increasing + distraction.) + It is well that I know what to think in such things. There was +no one to see what was done in there. There is none to bear witness +against me. + (Suddenly stretches out her hands and whispers:) + My son! My beloved child! Come to me! Here I am! Hush! I +will tell you something: They hate me up there--beyond the stars-- +because I bore you into the world. It was meant that I should +bear the Lord God's standard over all the land. But I went my +own way. It is therefore I have had to suffer so much and so +long. + + BIORN (comes from the room on the left). My lady, I have to +tell you---- Christ save me--what is this? + + LADY INGER (has climbed up into the high-seat by the right-hand +wall). Hush! Hush! I am the King's mother. They have chosen +my son king. The struggle was hard ere it came to this--for 'twas +with the Almighty One himself I had to strive. + + NILS LYKKE (comes in breathless from the right). He is saved! +I have Jens Bielke's promise. Lady Inger,--know that---- + + LADY INGER. Peace, I say! look how the people swarm. + (A funeral hymn is heard from the room within.) + There comes the procession. What a throng! All bow themselves +before the King's mother. Ay, ay; has she not fought for her son-- +even till her hands grew red withal?--Where are my daughters? I +see them not. + + NILS LYKKE. God's blood!--what has befallen here? + + LADY INGER. My daughters--my fair daughters! I have none any +more. I had _one_ left, and her I lost even as she was mounting +her bridal bed. (Whispers.) Lucia's corpse lay in it. There +was no room for two. + + NILS LYKKE. Ah--it has come to this! The Lord's vengeance is +upon me. + + LADY INGER. Can you see him? Look, look! It is the King. It +is Inger Gyldenlove's son! I know him by the crown and by Sten +Sture's ring that he wears round his neck. Hark, what a joyful +sound! He is coming! Soon will he be in my arms! Ha-ha!--who +conquers, God or I. + + (The Men-at-Arms come out with the coffin.) + + LADY INGER (clutches at her head and shrieks). The corpse! +(Whispers.) Pah! It is a hideous dream. + + (Sinks back into the high-seat.) + + JENS BIELKE (who has come in from the right, stops and cries in +astonishment). Dead! Then after all---- + + ONE OF THE MEN-AT-ARMS. It was himself---- + + JENS BIELKE (with a look at NILS LYKKE). He himself----? + + NILS LYKKE. Hush! + + LADY INGER (faintly, coming to herself). Ay, right; now I +remember it all. + + JENS BIELKE (to the Men-at-Arms). Set down the corpse. It is +not Count Sture. + + ONE OF THE MEN-AT-ARMS. Your pardon, Captain;--this ring that +he wore round his neck---- + + NILS LYKKE (seizes his arm). Be still! + + LADY INGER (starts up). The ring? The ring? + (Rushes up and snatches the ring from him.) + Sten Sture's ring! (With a shriek.) Oh, Jesus Christ--my son! + + (Throws herself down on the coffin.) + + THE MEN-AT-ARMS. Her son? + + JENS BIELKE (at the same time). Inger Gyldenlove's son? + + NILS LYKKE. So it is. + + JENS BIELKE. But why did you not tell me----? + + BIORN (trying to raise her up). Help! help! My lady--what +ails you? + + LADY INGER (in a faint voice, half raising herself). What ails +me? I lack but another coffin, and a grave beside my child. + + (Sinks again, senseless on the coffin. NILS LYKKE goes hastily + out to the right. General consternation among the rest.) + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Henrik Ibsen's Prose Dramas Vol III., by +Henrik Ibsen + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HENRIK IBSEN'S PROSE DRAMAS *** + +***** This file should be named 19018.txt or 19018.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/0/1/19018/ + +Produced by Douglas Levy + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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