Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/256



No longer? Not until the very end?

You will not sin to-night, my lord!

Who can tell? Take the golden goblet Bishop Absalon left me—give it to the Church— and say seven high masses more.

God will be gracious to you, my lord!

Seven more masses, I say—for sins I may commit to-night! Go, go! [ goes; the turns to ] Duke, if you should come to read Trond the Priest's letter, and it should mayhap prove that Håkon is the rightful king—what would you do then? In God's name—king he should remain. Bethink you; much is at stake. Search every fold of your heart; answer as though you stood before your Judge! What will you do, if he be the rightful king? Bow my head and serve him. [Mumbles.] So, so: then bide the issue. [To