Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 1).pdf/195



[Except, rushing out to the right.] Away! To horse,—to horse! Hail to Lady Inger Gyldenlöve!

[Passing close to as she goes out after the others.] Who wins?

[Remains alone.] Who? Ay, woe to you;—your victory will cost you dear. I wash my hands of it. 'Tis not I that am murdering him.

But my prey is escaping me none the less; and the revolt will grow and spread!—Ah, 'tis a foolhardy, a frantic game I have here taken in hand!

There they ride clattering out through the gate-way.—Now 'tis closed after them—and I am left here a prisoner. No way of escape! Within half-an-hour the Swedes will be upon him. He has thirty well-armed horsemen with him. 'Twill be life or death.

But if, after all, they should take him alive?—Were I but free, I could overtake the Swedes ere they reach the frontier, and make them deliver him up. [Goes towards the window in the background and looks out.] Damnation! Guards outside on every hand. Can there be no way of escape?