Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/339



[Wildly.] For your sake, for your sake! Therefore God dare not deny to blot it out!

"Pure and blameless," I swore to Ingeborg—and he scoffs at heaven!

[Entering.] All is in uproar! The impious deed has struck terror to your men; they flee into the churches.

They shall out; they must out!

[Entering.] The townsfolk have risen against you; they are slaying the Vårbælgs wherever they find them, on the streets or in the houses!

[Entering.] The Birchlegs are sailing up the river!

Summon all my men together! None must fail me here!

They will not come; they are benumbed with dread.

[Despairingly.] But I cannot fall now! My son must not die with a deadly sin upon his soul!