Henrik Ibsens Prose Dramas, Vol III. | Page 4

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.