Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/396

360

Typhon did his work bravely. The prisoner was stripped, tied by the wrists, and slung to the rafters, so that the tips of his toes barely touched the floor; then Typhon scourged him from behind with a lash of ox sinews that circled his body round to the breast.

Oh how wicked to force us to use such means!

Lest he should die under our hands, we had at last to release the obstinate wretch. He remained for a time quite still, and seemed to reflect; then suddenly he demanded to be brought before the Emperor.

This pleases me. And you are having him brought hither?

Yes, sire—here they come with him.

A detachment of soldiers enters, conducting .

Ah, my good Cyrillus,—you are not quite so overweening as you were, I see.

Have you read in the entrails of some beast or bird what I have to say to you?

Methinks there needs no divination to foresee that you have come to your senses, that you