Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/254

 fitted me—for taking the high notes—for singing with a woman's voice at the great church-festivals. And yet they up yonder claim of me—the half-man—what they have a right to claim only of those whom they have in all things fitted for their life-work! There have been times when I fancied such a claim might be just; I have lain here on my sick-bed crushed by the dread of doom and punishment. Now it is over; my soul has fresh marrow in its bones; I have not sinned; it is I that have suffered wrong; I am the accuser!

[Softly.] My lord—the letter! You have little time left.

Think of your soul, and humble you!

A man's life-work is his soul, and my life-work still shall live upon the earth. But you, King Håkon, you should beware; for as Heaven has stood against me,and reaped harm for its reward, so are you standing against the man who holds the country's welfare in his hand

Ha—Duke, Duke! Now I see the bent of this meeting!

[Vehemently, to the ] Not a word more of this!

[To ] He will stand against you so long