Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 1).pdf/86



I know it; but nevertheless she loved him; and had you had a mother's heart, your daughter's honour had been more to you than all.

Not more than her happiness. Think you that, with Merete's lot before my eyes, I could sacrifice my second child to a man that loved her not?

Cunning words may beguile many, but they beguile not me

Think not I know nothing of all that is passing in our land. I understand your counsels but too well. I know that in you the Danish lords have no true friend. It may be that you hate them; but you fear them too. When you gave Merete to Vinzents Lunge, the Danes held the mastery on all sides throughout our land. Three years later, when you forbade Lucia to wed the man to whom, though he had deceived her, she had given her life—things were far different then. The King's Danish governors had shamefully misused the common people, and you deemed it not wise to link yourself still more closely to the foreign tyrants.

And what have you done to avenge her that was sent so young to her grave? You have done nothing. Well then, I will act in your stead; I will avenge all the shame they have brought upon our people and our house!