Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/421

] *tion, that, amid all dangers and difficulties, the soldiers may leave their fate securely in their leader's hands, considering him infallible in all that concerns the issue of the war.

I pray you, my Emperor, let me be excused from this.

What do you mean?

That I cannot lend my aid to anything that is against the truth.—Oh, hear me, my august Emperor and master! Is there a single one of your soldiers who doubts that he is safe in your hands? Have you not, on the Gallic frontier, in spite of overwhelming numbers and difficulties of all kinds, gained greater victories than any other living commander can boast of?

Well, well! What startling news!

All know how marvellously fortune has hitherto followed you. In learning you excel all other mortals, and in the glorious art of eloquence you bear the palm among the greatest.

And yet? In spite of all this?

In spite of all this, my Emperor, you are but mortal. By publishing this dream through the