Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/460

424

Sire!

In Phrygia? Alexander writes of secret things preparing in Phrygia. It has been foretold that the Galilean is to come again

Burn the ships, Nevita!

Sire, is this your firm and irrevocable will?

Burn them! No delay! Lurking dangers threaten us in the rear.

[To one of the captains. Give close heed to this stranger. He is to be our guide. Refresh him with food and drink, and let him have thorough rest. My Emperor, I implore you—build not too securely on the reports of a deserter like this. Aha—you seem perturbed, my Galilean councillor! All this is not quite to your mind. Perhaps you know more than you care to tell. Go, Nevita,—and burn the ships! ['' bows and goes out to the left. The captain leads the Persian away among the tents''

Traitors in my own camp! Wait, wait,—I shall get to the bottom of these machinations.