Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 1).pdf/79



How mean you, my mother?

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, I mean, for them to strike the last blow at our rights and our freedom. Therefore must we now

[Eagerly.] Openly rebel, my mother?

No; we must gain breathing-time. The Council is now assembled at Copenhagen, considering how best to go to work. Most of them hold, 'tis said, that there can be no end to dissensions till Norway and Denmark are one; for should we still possess our rights as a free land when the time comes to choose the next king, 'tis most like that the feud will break out openly. Now the Danish councillors would hinder this

Ay, they would hinder it—! But are we to endure such things? Are we to look on quietly while?

No, we will not endure it. But to take up arms—to declare open war—what would come