Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/337



The Archbishop then! At last he gives way.

The Archbishop hurled forth direr curses than the monks.

Ah, then I see that I still have trusty men. You here, who should have been the first to serve me, stood terrified and shrank back—but down in the crowd have I friends who for my sake fear not to take so great a sin upon their souls.

You have not one trusty man who dared to take the sin upon him.

Almighty God! has then a miracle come to pass? Who bore out the holy thing?

I, my father!

[With a shriek.] You!

[Shrink back appalled.] Church-robber!

[ and one or two others go out.

The deed had to be done. No man's faith is sure ere homage be lawfully done to you. I begged, I besought the monks; it availed not.