The Collected Works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 3)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 Excerpt: ...to be done. Bishop Nicholas. To the Earl, under cover of the game. Hear you what Dagfinn the Peasant says? Earl Skule. Without looking up. I hear. Gregorius Jonsson. Looking steadily at Dagfinn. Has the King thoughts of that? Dagfinn. Nay, nay, --let be;--no wrangling to-day. Bishop Nicholas. The King would force your men to swear him fealty, Earl. Gregorius Jonsson. Louder. Has the King thoughts of that, I ask? Dagfinn. I will not answer. Let us drink to peace and friendship between the King and the Earl. The ale is good. Paul Flida. It has had time enough to mellow. Gregorius Jonsson. Three times has the Earl prepared the bridal--three times the King promised to come--three times he came not. Dagfinn. Blame the Earl for that: he gave us plenty to do in Viken. Paul Flida. 'Tis said Sigurd Ribbung gave you still more to do in Vermeland. Dagfinn. Flaring up. Ay, and who was it that let Sigurd Ribbung slip through their fingers? Gregorius Jonsson. Sigurd Ribbung fled from us at Nidaros, that all men know. Dagfinn. But no man knows that you did aught to hinder him. Bishop Nicholas. To the Earl, who is pondering on a move. Hear you, Earl? It was you who let Sigurd Ribbung escape. Earl Skule. Makes a move. That is an old story. Gregorius Jonsson. Have you not heard, then, of the Icelander Andres Torsteinsson, Sigurd Ribbung's friend Dagfinn. Ay; when Sigurd had escaped, you hanged the Icelander--that I know. Bishop Nicholas. Makes a move and says laughingly to the Earl. I take the pawn, Sir Earl.1 1 Bishop Nicholas's speech, Nu slar jeg bonden, herre jarl, means literally, Now I strike (or slay) the peasant; the pawn being called in Norwegian ' bonde, peasant, as in German Earl Skule. Aloud. Take him; a pawn is of small account. Mak...