Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/287

]

Then all Christians will say that it is their faith you are persecuting.

No one shall be persecuted by reason of his faith. But have I the right to overlook whatever faults you may commit, simply because you are Christians? Shall your delusions shield your misdeeds? What have not your audacious crew for long been doing, both here at court and elsewhere? Have you not flattered all vices, and bowed before all caprices? Ay, what have not you yourself, Ursulus, connived at? I am thinking of that shameless, bedizened barber, that salve-stinking fool, who just now filled me with loathing. Are not you treasurer? How could you give way to his impudent demands?

Is it a crime to have done my master's bidding?

I will have nothing to do with such luxurious servants. All those insolent eunuchs shall be hunted out of the palace; and all cooks, and jugglers, and dancers after them. A becoming frugality shall once more be enforced.

[To and .

You, my friends, shall aid me in this.—And you, Nevita, on whom, as a mark of special distinction, I bestow the title of general-in-chief,—you I depute to investigate how the offices of state have been administered under my predecessor, especially of late years. You may call in the aid of