Henrik Ibsens Prose Dramas, Vol III. | Page 6

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