Henrik Ibsens Prose Dramas, Vol III. | Page 9

too at times. Many were the wooers around you. I too held you dear--dear as no woman before or since. But you cared for nothing, thought of nothing, save your country's evil case and its great need.
* Pronounce Ahkers-hoos.
LADY INGER. I counted but fifteen summers then--remember that. And was it not as though a frenzy had seized us all in those days?
OLAF SKAKTAVL. Call it what you will; but one thing I know--even the old and sober men among us doubted not that it was written in the counsels of the Lord that you were she who should break our thraldom and win us all our rights again. And more: you yourself then thought as we did.
LADY INGER. It was a sinful thought, Olaf Skaktavl. It was my proud heart, and not the Lord's call, that spoke in me.
OLAF SKAKTAVL. You could have been the chosen one had you but willed it. You came of the noblest blood in Norway; power and riches were at your feet; and you had an ear for the cries of anguish--then!---- ---- Do you remember that afternoon when Henrik Krummedike and the Danish fleet anchored off Akershus? The captains of the fleet offered terms of settlement, and, trusting to the safe-conduct, Knut Alfson rowed on board. Three hours later, we bore him through the castle gate----
LADY INGER. A corpse; a corpse!
OLAF SKAKTAVL. The best heart in Norway burst, when Krummedike's hirelings struck him down. Methinks I still can see the long procession that passed into the banquet-hall, heavily, two by two. There he lay on his bier, white as a spring cloud, with the axe- cleft in his brow. I may safely say that the boldest men in Norway were gathered there that night. Lady Margrete stood by her dead husband's head, and we swore as one man to venture lands and life to avenge this last misdeed and all that had gone before.-- Inger Gyldenlove,--who was it that burst through the circle of men? A maiden--then almost a child--with fire in her eyes and her voice half choked with tears.-- What was it she swore? Shall I repeat your words?
LADY INGER. And how did the others keep their promise? I speak not of you, Olaf Skaktavl, but of your friends, all our Norwegian nobles? Not one of them, in all these years, has had the courage to be a man; and yet they lay it to my charge that I am a woman.
OLAF SKAKTAVL. I know what you would say. Why have they bent to the yoke, and not defied the tyrants to the last? 'Tis but too true; there is base metal enough in our noble houses nowadays. But had they held together--who knows what might have been? And you could have held them together, for before you all had bowed.
LADY INGER. My answer were easy enough, but it would scarce content you. So let us leave speaking of what cannot be changed. Tell me rather what has brought you to Ostrat. Do you need harbour? Well, I will try to hide you. If you would have aught else, speak out; you shall find me ready----
OLAF SKAKTAVL. For twenty years have I been homeless. In the mountains of Jaemteland my hair has grown grey. My dwelling has been with wolves and bears.--You see, Lady Inger--I need you not; but both nobles and people stand in sore need of you.
LADY INGER. The old burden.
OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ay, it sounds but ill in your ears, I know; yet hear it you must for all that. In brief, then: I come from Sweden: troubles are at hand: the Dales are ready to rise.
LADY INGER. I know it.
OLAF SKAKTAVL. Peter Kanzler is with us--secretly, you understand.
LADY INGER (starting). Peter Kanzler?
OLAF SKAKTAVL. It is he that has sent me to Ostrat.
LADY INGER (rises). Peter Kanzler, say you?
OLAF SKAKTAVL. He himself;--but mayhap you no longer know him?
LADY INGER (half to herself). Only too well!--But tell me, I pray you,--what message do you bring?
OLAF SKAKTAVL. When the rumour of the rising reached the border mountains, where I then was, I set off at once into Sweden. 'Twas not hard to guess that Peter Kanzler had a finger in the game. I sought him out and offered to stand by him;--he knew me of old, as you know, and knew that he could trust me; so he has sent me hither.
LADY INGER (impatiently). Yes yes,--he sent you hither to----?
OLAF SKAKTAVL (with secrecy). Lady Inger--a stranger comes to Ostrat to-night.
LADY INGER (surprised). What? Know you that----?
OLAF SKAKTAVL. Assuredly I know it. I know all. 'Twas to meet him that Peter Kanzler sent me hither.
LADY INGER. To meet him? Impossible, Olaf Skaktavl,--impossible!
OLAF SKAKTAVL. 'Tis as I tell you. If he be not already come, he will soon----
LADY INGER. Yes, I know; but----
OLAF SKAKTAVL.