Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/337

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[Drawing near.] Tell me, good friend, what is the matter? This day of all others, I say, when our august ruler is himself to officiate at the feast of Apollo. Yes, I know that; but why are they taking these Christians to prison? What? Are they taking them to prison? Have they really caught them? [Loud shrieks are heard. Hush; what is that? Yes, by the gods, I believe they have them! [An, much agitated, and with dishevelled hair, makes her way through the crowd; she is beset by other women, who in vain seek to restrain her.

I will not be held back! He is my only son, the child of my old age! Let me go; let me go! Can no one tell me where I can find the Emperor?

What would you with the Emperor, old mother?

I would have my son again. Help me! My son! Hilarion! Oh, they have taken him from me! They burst into our house—and then they took him away!