Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/204

 *mightier than any of the ten thousand—earls up yonder! [Sinks down upon a bench beside the table.

[Looks long at him.] Bishop Nicholas, are you something more or something less than a man?

[Smiling.] I am in the state of innocence: I know not good from evil.

[Half to himself.] Why did they send me into the world, if they meant not to order it better for me? Håkon has so firm and unswerving a faith in himself—all his men have so firm and unswerving a faith in him

Let it not be seen that you have no such faith in yourself! Speak as though you had it, swear great oaths that you have it—and all will believe you.

Had I a son! Had I but a son, to take all the great heritage after me!

[Eagerly.] Earl—if you had a son?

I have none.

Håkon will have sons.