Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/355



From the oldest Pretender in the world?

From the first Earl, who rose against the greatest kingdom, and himself founded a kingdom that shall endure beyond doomsday.

[Shrieks.] Bishop Nicholas!

[Rising.] Do you know me now? We were friends of yore, and 'tis you that have brought me back; once the self-same galley our fortunes bore, and we sailed on the self-same tack. At our parting I quailed, in the gloom and the blast; for a hawk in his talons had gripped my soul fast; I besought them to chant and to ply the bell, and I bought me masses and prayers as well,— they read fourteen, though I'd paid but for seven; yet they brought me no nearer the gates of heaven.

And you come from down yonder?

Yes, from the kingdom down yonder I'm faring; the kingdom men always so much miscall.