Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/358



What word would you have?

For raising you highest, my one condition is just that you follow your heart's ambition; all Norway is yours, to the kingship I'll speed you, if only you vow that your son shall succeed you!

[Raising his hand as if for an oath.] My son shall—-[Stops suddenly, and breaks forth in terror.] The church-robber! All the might to him! Ha! now I understand;—you seek for his soul's perdition! Get thee behind me, get thee behind me! [Stretches out his arms to heaven.] Oh have mercy on me, thou to whom I now call for help in my sorest need!

[He falls prone to the earth.

Accursëd! He's slipped through my fingers at last— and I thought of a surety I held him so fast! But the Light, it seems, had a trick in store that I knew not of—and the game is o'er. Well, well; what matters a little delay? Perpetuum mobile's well under way; my might is assured through the years and the ages, the haters of light shall be still in my wages; in Norway my empire for ever is founded, though it be to my subjects a riddle unsounded.

[Coming forward.