Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/435

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[To his retinue.] Why talk of fatigue? Should the fall of a horse bring me to a standstill? Or is it less becoming to go on foot than to bestride an inferior animal? Fatigue! My ancestor said that it befits an Emperor to die standing. I say that it befits an Emperor, not only in the hour of death, but throughout his whole life, to set an example of endurance; I say Ah, by the great light of heaven! do I not see Basil of Caesarea before my eyes?

[Bowing deeply.] Your meanest servant, oh most mighty lord!

Ah, I know what that means! Truly you serve me well, Basil!

[Approaching.

So this is the villa that has become so renowned by reason of the epistles that go forth from it. This house is more talked of throughout the provinces than all the lecture-halls together, although I have spared neither care nor pains to restore their glory.

Tell me—is not this woman your sister, Makrina?

She is, sire!

You are a fair woman, and still young. And yet, as I hear, you have renounced life.

Sire, I have renounced life in order truly to live.