Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/291



[With animation.] Paul Flida, were it not possible that I could win over the men of Viken to my side?

[''Looks at him in astonishment, and shakes his head.''] No, my lord, it is not possible.

And wherefore not?

Why, for that you have the Trönders on your side.

I will have both the Trönders and the men of Viken!

Nay, my lord, that cannot be!

Not possible! cannot be! And wherefore—wherefore not?

Because the man of Viken is the man of Viken, the Trönder is the Trönder; because so it has always been, and no saga tells of a time when it was otherwise.

Ay, ay—you are right. Go.

And send forth no scouts?

Wait till daybreak. [ goes.] Nor