Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/450

414

He came riding over the plains unarmed, and surrendered at the outposts

Then your countrymen are at hand?

No, no!

Whence come you then?

[Throws open his garments.] Look at these arms, oh ruler of the world,—bleeding from rusty fetters. Feel this flayed back,—sore upon sore. I come from the torture chamber, sire!

Ah—a fugitive from King Sapor?

Yes, mighty Emperor, to whom all things are known! I stood high in King Sapor's favour until, impelled by the terror of your approach, I dared to prophesy that this war would end in his destruction. Would you know, sire, how he has rewarded me? My wife he gave as a prey to his archers from the mountains; my children he sold as slaves; all my possessions he divided among his servants; myself he tortured for nine days. Then he bade me ride forth and die like a beast in the desert.

And what would you with me?