Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/168

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Sign against sign, Caesar!

One word, Leontes!

[Seizing his hand and drawing him aside.

Whither do you lead me?

To Rome, my lord.

That is not what I ask. Whither do you lead me: to fortune and power,—or to the shambles?

Oh, my lord, so odious a suspicion

My brother's body can scarce have mouldered yet.

I can silence all doubt. [Taking out a paper.] This letter from the Emperor, which I had thought to hand you in private

A letter? What does he write?

[He opens the paper and reads.

Ah, Helena! Oh, Leontes! Helena,—Helena to me!

The Emperor gives her to you, my lord! He gives you his beloved sister, for whom Gallus Caesar begged in vain.