Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/324

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Your heart? Ah, Emperor, you have torn out of your heart a better friend than I.

You mean Basil?

I mean a greater than Basil.

[Glooming.] Ah! So that is what you come to tell me? And in that habit

I did not choose this habit, sire!

Not you? Who then?

He who is greater than the Emperor.

I know your Galilean phrases. For the sake of our friendship, spare me them.

Let me, then, begin by telling you how it is that you see me here, ordained a priest of the church you are persecuting.

[With a sharp look.] Persecuting!

[He ascends the daïs again and sits down.

Now speak on.