Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/477

] Kytron, for Diogenes' sake, let his ear be cut off? No, truly! I know you, whited sepulchres! Begone out of my sight;—I can do nothing with you!

[''The philosophers slink away; the others also disperse, whispering anxiously. Only and  remain behind with the Emperor. , the officer of the guard, still stands with his soldiers outside the tent.''

How strange! Is it not inconceivable, unfathomable? Oribases,—can you rede me this riddle?

What riddle do you mean, my Emperor?

With twelve poor ignorant fishermen, he founded all this.

Oh sire, these thoughts exhaust you.

And who has held it together until this day? Women and ignorant people, for the most part

Yes, yes, sire; but now the campaign will soon take a happy turn

Very true, Oribases; as soon as fortune has taken a turn, all will be well. The dominion of