Henrik Ibsens Prose Dramas, Vol III. | Page 3

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