Henrik Ibsens Prose Dramas, Vol III. | Page 4

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