Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/360

 at the altar for peace—begging for his life mayhap—oh no, no, that could never be; but God will punish you who dared to let it come to this!

My dear, dear mother, curb yourself; you know not what you say; 'tis your grief that speaks.

Hear me, ye Birchlegs! 'Tis Håkon Håkonsson that should lie before the altar, and beseech King Skule for life and peace.

It ill beseems loyal men to listen to such words.

Bow your heads before a wife's sorrow!

King Skule doomed! Look to yourselves, look to yourselves all of you, when he regains his power!

That will never be, Lady Ragnhild.

Hush, hush!

Think you Håkon Håkonsson dare let his doom be fulfilled if the King should fall into his hands?

King Håkon himself best knows whether a king's oath can be broken.