Henrik Ibsens Prose Dramas, Vol III. | Page 3

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?--