ink._
OLAF SKAKTAVL.
And yet you would give him a written promise that may be
your ruin?
LADY INGER.
Hush; leave me to act. Nay, wait and listen first——[_Talks
with him in a whisper._
NILS LYKKE.
[_Softly, watching them._] Ah, take counsel together as much
as ye list! All danger is over now. With her written consent
in my pocket, I can denounce her whenever I please. A secret
message to Jens Bielke this very night—. I tell him but the
truth—that the young Count Sture is not at Östråt. And then
to-morrow, when the road is open—to Trondhiem with my young
friend, and thence by ship to Copenhagen with him as my
prisoner. Once we have him safe in the castle-tower, we can
dictate to Lady Inger what terms we will. And I—? After
this, methinks, the King will scarce place the French
mission in other hands than mine.
LADY INGER.
[_Still whispering to_ OLAF SKAKTAVL.] Well, you understand
me?
OLAF SKAKTAVL.
Ay, fully. Let us make the venture, even as you will. [_Goes
out by the back, to the right._
[NILS STENSSON _comes in by the first door on the
right, unseen by_ LADY INGER, _who has begun to
write._
NILS STENSSON.
[_In a low voice._] Sir Knight,—Sir Knight!
NILS LYKKE.
[_Moves towards him._] Rash boy! What would you here? Said I
not you should wait within until I called you?
NILS STENSSON.
How could I? Now you have told me that Inger Gyldenlöve is
my mother, I thirst more than ever to see her face to face——
Oh, it is she! How proud and high her mien! Even thus did I
ever picture her. Fear not, dear Sir,—I shall do nought
rashly. Since I have learnt this secret, I feel, as it were,
older and wiser. I will no longer be wild and heedless; I
will be even as other well-born youths.—Tell me,—knows she
that I am here? Surely you have prepared her?
NILS LYKKE.
Ay, sure enough; but——
NILS STENSSON.
Well?
NILS LYKKE.
——She will not own you for her son.
NILS STENSSON.
Will not own me? But she is my mother.—Oh, if it be that she
doubts _that_—[_takes out a ring which he wears on a cord
round his neck_]—show her this ring. I have worn it since my
earliest childhood; she must surely know its history.
NILS LYKKE.
Hide the ring, man! Hide it, I say!
You mistake me. Lady Inger doubts not at all that you are
her child; but—ay, look about you; look at all this wealth;
look at these mighty forefathers and kinsmen whose pictures
deck the walls both high and low; look lastly at herself,
the haughty dame, used to bear sway as the first noblewoman
in the kingdom. Think you it can be to her mind to take a
poor ignorant youth by the hand before all men’s eyes and
say: Behold my son!
NILS STENSSON.
Ay, doubtless you are right. I am poor and ignorant. I have
nought to offer her in return for what I crave. Oh, never
have I felt my poverty weigh on me till this hour! But tell
me—what think you I should do to win her favour? Tell me,
dear Sir; sure you must know!
NILS LYKKE.
You must win your father’s kingdom. But until that may be,
look well that you wound not her ears by hinting at kinship
or the like. She will bear her as though she believed you to
be the real Count Sture, until you have made yourself worthy
to be called her son.
NILS STENSSON.
Oh, but tell me——!
NILS LYKKE.
Hush; hush!
LADY INGER.
[_Rises and hands him a paper._] Sir Knight—here is my
promise.
NILS LYKKE.
I thank you.
LADY INGER.
[_Notices_ NILS STENSSON.] Ah,—this young man is——?
NILS LYKKE.
Ay, Lady Inger, he is Count Sture.
LADY INGER.
[_Aside, looks at him stealthily._] Feature for feature;—ay,
by God,—it is Sten Sture’s son!
[_Approaches him and says with cold courtesy:_
I bid you welcome under my roof, Count! It rests with you
whether or not we shall bless this meeting a year hence.
NILS STENSSON.
With me? Oh, do but tell me what I must do! Trust me, I have
both courage and will——
NILS LYKKE.
[_Listens uneasily._] What is this noise and uproar, Lady
Inger? There are people pressing hitherward. What does this
mean?
LADY INGER.
[_In a loud voice._] ’Tis the spirits awaking!
[OLAF SKAKTAVL, EINAR HUK, BIÖRN, FINN, _and a
number of_ PEASANTS _and_ RETAINERS _come in
from the back, on the right._
THE PEASANTS AND RETAINERS.
Hail to Lady Inger Gyldenlöve!
LADY INGER.
[_To_ OLAF SKAKTAVL.] Have you told them what is afoot?
OLAF SKAKTAVL.
I have told them all they need to know.
LADY INGER.
[_To the_ CROWD.] Ay, now, my faithful house-folk and
peasants, now must ye arm you as best you can and will. That
which earlier to-night I forbade you, ye have now my fullest
leave to do. And here I present to you the young Count
Sture, the coming ruler of Sweden—and Norway too, if God
will it so.
THE WHOLE CROWD.
Hail to him! Hail to Count Sture!
[_General excitement. The_ PEASANTS _and_ RETAINERS
_choose out weapons and put on breastplates and
helmets, amid great noise_.
NILS LYKKE.
[_Softly and uneasily._] The spirits awaking, she said? I
but feigned to conjure up the devil of revolt—’twere a
cursed spite if he got the upper hand of us.
LADY INGER.
[_To_ NILS STENSSON.] Here I give you the first earnest of
our service—thirty mounted men, to follow you as a
bodyguard. Trust me—ere you reach the frontier many hundreds
will have ranged themselves under my banner and yours. Go,
then, and God be with you!
NILS STENSSON.
Thanks,—Inger Gyldenlöve! Thanks—and be sure you shall never
have cause to shame you for—for Count Sture! If you see me
again, I shall have won my father’s kingdom.
NILS LYKKE.
[_To himself._] Ay, _if_ she see you again!
OLAF SKAKTAVL.
The horses wait, good fellows! Are ye ready——?
THE PEASANTS.
Ay, ay, ay!
NILS LYKKE.
[_Uneasily_, to LADY INGER.] What?, You mean not to-night,
even now——?
LADY INGER.
This very moment, Sir Knight!
NILS LYKKE.
Nay, nay, impossible!
LADY INGER.
I have said it.
NILS LYKKE.
[_Softly, to_ NILS STENSSON.] Obey her not!
NILS STENSSON.
How can I do aught else? I _will_; I _must_!
NILS LYKKE.
But ’tis your certain ruin——
NILS STENSSON.
What then! _Her_ must I obey in all things——
NILS LYKKE.
[_With authority._] And _me_?
NILS STENSSON.
I shall keep my word; be sure of that. The secret shall not
pass my lips till you yourself release me. But she is my
mother!
NILS LYKKE.
[_Aside._] And Jens Bielke in wait on the road! Damnation!
He will snatch the prize out of my fingers——
[_To_ LADY INGER.
Wait till to-morrow!
LADY INGER.
[_To_ NILS STENSSON.] Count Sture—do you obey me or not?
NILS STENSSON.
To horse!
[_Goes up towards the background._
NILS LYKKE.
[_Aside._] Unhappy boy! He knows not what he does.
[_To_ LADY INGER.
Well, since so it must be,—farewell!
[_Bows hastily, and begins to move away._
Lady Inger.
[_Detains him._] Nay, stay! Not so, Sir Knight,—not so!
NILS LYKKE.
What mean you?
LADY INGER.
[_In a low voice._] Nils Lykke—you are a traitor! Hush! Let
no one see there is discord in the camp of the leaders. You
have won Peter Kanzler’s trust by some devilish wile that as
yet is dark to me. You have forced me to rebellious acts—not
to help our cause, but to further your own plots, whatever
they may be. I can draw back no more. But think not
therefore that you have conquered! I shall know how to make
you harmless——
NILS LYKKE.
[_Lays his hand involuntarily on his sword._]
Lady Inger!
LADY INGER.
Be calm, Sir Councillor! Your life is safe. But you come not
outside the gates of Östråt before victory is ours.
NILS LYKKE.
Death and destruction!
LADY INGER.
It boots not to resist. You come not from this place. So
rest you quiet; ’tis your wisest course.
NILS LYKKE.
[_To himself._] Ah,—I am overreached. She has been craftier
than I. [_A thought strikes him._] But if I yet——?
LADY INGER.
[_To_ OLAF SKAKTAVL.] Ride with Count Sture’s troops to the
frontier; then without pause to Peter Kanzler, and bring me
back my child. Now has he no longer any plea for keeping
from me what is my own.
[_Adds, as_ OLAF SKAKTAVL _is going:_
Wait; a token—. He that wears Sten Sture’s ring, he is my
son.
OLAF SKAKTAVL.
By all the saints, you shall have him!
LADY INGER.
Thanks,—thanks, my faithful friend!
NILS LYKKE.
[_To_ FINN, _whom he has beckoned to him unobserved, and
with whom he has been whispering._] Good—now contrive to
slip out. Let none see you. The Swedes are in ambush half a
league hence. Tell the commander that Count Sture is dead.
The young man you see there must on no account be touched.
Tell the commander so. Tell him the boy’s life is worth
thousands to me.
FINN.
It shall be done.
LADY INGER.
[_Who has meanwhile been watching_ NILS LYKKE.] And now go,
all of you, and God be with you! [_Points to_ NILS LYKKE.]
This noble knight cannot find it in his heart to leave his
friends at Östråt so hastily. He will abide here with me
till the tidings of your victory arrive.
NILS LYKKE.
[_To himself._] Devil!
NILS STENSSON.
[_Seizes his hand._] Trust me—you shall not have long to
wait!
NILS LYKKE.
It is well; it is well! [_Aside._] All may yet be saved. If
only my message reach Jens Bielke in time——
LADY INGER.
[_To_ EINAR HUK, _the bailiff, pointing to_ FINN.] And let
_that_ man be placed under close guard in the castle
dungeon.
FINN.
Me?
THE BAILIFF AND THE SERVANTS.
Finn!
NILS LYKKE.
[_Aside._] My last anchor gone!
LADY INGER.
[_Imperatively._] To the dungeon with him!
[EINAR HUK, BIÖRN, _and a couple of the
house-servants lead_ FINN _out to the left_.
ALL THE REST.
[_Except_ NILS LYKKE, _rushing out to the right._] Away! To
horse,—to horse! Hail to Lady Inger Gyldenlöve!
LADY INGER.
[_Passing close to_ NILS LYKKE _as she goes out after the
others._] Who wins?
NILS LYKKE.
[_Remains alone._] Who? Ay, woe to you;—your victory will
cost you dear. _I_ wash my hands of it. ’Tis not _I_ that am
murdering him.
But my prey is escaping me none the less; and the revolt
will grow and spread!—Ah, ’tis a foolhardy, a frantic game I
have here taken in hand!
[_Listens at the window._.
There they ride clattering out through the gateway.—Now ’tis
closed after them—and I am left here a prisoner.
No way of escape! Within half-an-hour the Swedes will be
upon him. He has thirty well-armed horsemen with him. ’Twill
be life or death.
But if, after all, they should take him alive?—Were I but
free, I could overtake the Swedes ere they reach the
frontier, and make them deliver him up. [_Goes towards the
window in the background and looks out._] Damnation! Guards
outside on every hand. Can there be no way of escape?
[_Comes quickly forward again; suddenly stops and
listens._
What is that? Music and singing. It seems to come from
Elina’s chamber. Ay, ’tis she that is singing. Then she is
still awake——
[_A thought seems to strike him._
Elina!—Ah, if _that_ could be! Were it possible to—And why
should I not? Am I not still myself? Says not the song:—
Fair maidens a-many they sigh and they pine:
“Ah God, that Nils Lykke were mine, mine, mine.”
And she—? ——Elina Gyldenlöve shall set me free!
[_Goes quickly but stealthily towards the first door
on the left._
ACT FIFTH
_The Banquet Hall. It is still night. The hall is but dimly
lighted by a branch-candlestick on the table, in front,
on the right._
LADY INGER _is sitting by the table, deep in thought._
LADY INGER.
[_After a pause._] They call me keen-witted beyond all
others in the land. I believe they are right. The
keenest-witted—No one knows how I became so. For more than
twenty years I have fought to save my child. _That_ is the
key to the riddle. Ay, that sharpens the wits!
My wits? Where have they flown to-night? What has become of
my forethought? There is a ringing and rushing in my ears. I
see shapes before me, so lifelike that methinks I could lay
hold on them.
[_Springs up._
Lord Jesus—what is this? Am I no longer mistress of my
reason? Is it to come to that——?
[_Presses her clasped hands over her head; sits down
again, and says more calmly:_
Nay, ’tis nought. ’Twill pass. There is no fear;—it will
pass.
How peaceful it is in the hall to-night! No threatening
looks from forefathers or kinsfolk. No need to turn their
faces to the wall.
[_Rises again._
Ay, ’twas well that I took heart at last. We shall
conquer;—and then am I at the goal of all my longings. I
shall have my child again.
[_Takes up the light as if to go, but stops and says
musingly:_
At the goal? The goal? To have him back? Is that all?—is
there nought further?
[_Sets the light down on the table._
That heedless word that Nils Lykke threw forth at random—.
How could he see my unborn thought?
[_More softly._
A king’s mother? A king’s mother, he said—And why not? Have
not my fathers before me ruled as kings, even though they
bore not the kingly name? Has not _my_ son as good a title
as the other to the rights of the house of Sture? In the
sight of God he has—if so be there is justice in Heaven.
And in an hour of terror I have signed away his rights. I
have recklessly squandered them, as a ransom for his
freedom.
If they could be recovered?—Would Heaven be angered, if I—?
Would it call down fresh troubles on my head if I were to—?
Who knows;—who knows! It may be safest to refrain. [_Takes
up the light again._] I shall have my child again. _That_
must content me. I will try to rest. All these desperate
thoughts,—I will sleep them away.
[_Goes towards the back, but stops in the middle of
the hall, and says broodingly:_
A king’s mother!
[_Goes slowly out at the back, to the left._
[_After a short pause, NILS LYKKE and ELINA
GYLDENLÖVE enter noiselessly by the first door
on the left. NILS LYKKE has a small lantern in
his hand._
NILS LYKKE.
[_Throws the light from his lantern around, so as to search
the room._] All is still. I must begone.
ELINA.
Oh, let me look but once more into your eyes, before you
leave me.
NILS LYKKE.
[_Embraces her._] Elina!
ELINA.
[_After a short pause._] Will you come nevermore to Östråt?
NILS LYKKE.
How can you doubt that I will come? Are you not henceforth
my betrothed?—But will _you_ be true to _me_, Elina? Will
you not forget me ere we meet again?
ELINA.
Do you ask if I _will_ be true? Have I any will left then?
Have I power to be untrue to you, even if I would?—You came
by night; you knocked upon my door;—and I opened to you. You
spoke to me. What was it you said? You gazed in my eyes.
What was the mystic might that turned my brain, and lured me
as into a magic net? [_Hides her face on his shoulder._] Oh,
look not on me, Nils Lykke! You must not look upon me after
this—True, say you? Do you not own me? I am yours;—I _must_
be yours—to all eternity.
NILS LYKKE.
Now, by my knightly honour, ere the year be past, you shall
sit as my wife in the hall of my fathers!
ELINA.
No vows, Nils Lykke! No oaths to me.
NILS LYKKE.
What ails you? Why do you shake your head so mournfully?
ELINA.
Because I know that the same soft words wherewith you turned
my brain, you have whispered to so many a one before. Nay,
nay, be not angry, my beloved! In nowise do I reproach you,
as I did while yet I knew you not. Now I understand how high
above all others is your goal. How can love be aught to
_you_ but a pastime, or woman but a toy?
NILS LYKKE.
Elina,—hear me!
ELINA.
As I grew up, your name was ever in my ears. I hated the
name, for meseemed that all women were dishonoured by your
life. And yet,—how strange!—when I built up in my dreams the
life that should be mine, you were ever my hero, though I
knew it not. Now I understand it all. What was it that I
felt? It was a foreboding, a mysterious longing for you, you
only one—for you that were one day to come and reveal to me
all the glory of life.
NILS LYKKE.
[_Aside, putting down the lantern on the table._] How is it
with me? This dizzy fascination—. If this it be to love,
then have I never known it till this hour.—Is there not yet
time—? Oh horror—Lucia! [_Sinks into the chair._
ELINA.
What is amiss with you? So heavy a sigh——
NILS LYKKE.
O, ’tis nought,—nought!
Elina,—now will I confess all to you. I have beguiled many
with both words and glances; I have said to many a one what
I whispered to you this night. But trust me——
ELINA.
Hush! No more of that. My love is no exchange for that you
give me. No, no; I love you because your every glance
commands it like a king’s decree. [_Lies down at his feet._
Oh, let me once more stamp that kingly mandate deep into my
soul, though well I know it stands imprinted there for all
time and eternity.
Dear God—how little I have known myself! ’Twas but to-night
I said to my mother: “My pride is my life.” And what is now
my pride? Is it to know my countrymen free, or my house held
in honour throughout many lands? Oh, no, no! My love is my
pride. The little dog is proud when he may sit by his
master’s feet and eat bread-crumbs from his hand. Even so am
I proud, so long as I may sit at your feet, while your looks
and your words nourish me with the bread of life. See,
therefore, I say to you, even as I said but now to my
mother: “My love is my life;” for therein lies all my pride,
now and evermore.
NILS LYKKE.
[_Raises her up on his lap._] Nay, nay—not at my feet, but
at my side is your place,—how high soever fate may exalt me.
Ay, Elina—you have led me into a better path; and should it
one day be granted me to atone by a deed of fame for the
sins of my reckless youth, then shall the honour be yours
and mine together.
ELINA.
Ah, you speak as though I were still that Elina who but this
evening flung down the flowers at your feet.
I have read in my books of the many-coloured life in far-off
lands. To the winding of horns, the knight rides forth into
the greenwood, with his falcon on his wrist. Even so do you
go your way through life;—your name rings out before you
whithersoever you fare.—All that _I_ desire of the glory, is
to rest like the falcon on your arm. Like him was I, too,
blind to light and life, till you loosed the hood from my
eyes and set me soaring high over the tree-tops.—But trust
me—bold as my flight may be, yet shall I ever turn back to
my cage.
NILS LYKKE.
[_Rises._] Then will I bid defiance to the past! See
now;—take this ring, and be _mine_ before God and
men—_mine_,—ay, though it should trouble the dreams of the
dead.
ELINA.
You make me tremble. What is it that——?
NILS LYKKE.
’Tis nought. Come, let me place the ring on your
finger.—Even so—now are you my betrothed!
ELINA.
_I_ Nils Lykke’s bride! It seems but a dream, all that has
befallen this night. Oh, but so fair a dream! My breast is
so light. No longer is there bitterness and hatred in my
soul. I will atone to all whom I have wronged. I have been
unloving to my mother. To-morrow will I go to her; she must
forgive me where I have erred.
NILS LYKKE.
And give her consent to our bond.
ELINA.
That will she. Oh, I am sure she will. My mother is kind;
all the world is kind;—I can no longer feel hatred for any
living soul—save _one_.
NILS LYKKE.
Save _one_?
ELINA.
Ah, ’tis a mournful history. I had a sister——
NILS LYKKE.
Lucia?
ELINA.
Did you know Lucia?
NILS LYKKE.
No, no; I have but heard her name.
ELINA.
She too gave her heart to a knight. He betrayed her;—now she
is in Heaven.
NILS LYKKE.
And you——
ELINA.
I hate him.
NILS LYKKE.
Hate him not! If there be mercy in your heart, forgive him
his sin. Trust me, he bears his punishment in his own
breast.
ELINA.
Him will I never forgive! I _cannot_, even if I would; for I
have sworn so dear an oath——
[_Listening._
Hush! Can you hear——?
NILS LYKKE.
What? Where?
ELINA.
Without; far off. The noise of many horsemen on the
high-road.
NILS LYKKE.
Ah, ’tis _they_! And I had forgotten—! They are coming
hither. Then is the danger great! I must begone!
ELINA.
But whither? Oh, Nils Lykke, what are you hiding——?
NILS LYKKE.
Tomorrow, Elina—; for as God lives, I will return
tomorrow.—Quickly now—where is the secret passage whereof
you told me?
ELINA.
Through the grave-vault. See,—here is the trap-door——
NILS LYKKE.
The grave-vault! [_To himself._] No matter, he _must_ be
saved!
ELINA.
[_By the window._] The horsemen have reached the gate——
[_Hands him the lantern._
NILS LYKKE.
Oh, then—— [_Begins to descend._
ELINA.
Go forward along the passage till you reach the coffin with
the death’s-head and the black cross; it is Lucia’s——
NILS LYKKE.
[_Climbs back hastily and shuts the trapdoor._] Lucia’s!
Pah——!
ELINA.
What said you?
NILS LYKKE.
Nay, nothing. ’Twas the air of the graves that made me
dizzy.
ELINA.
Hark; they are hammering at the gate!
NILS LYKKE.
[_Lets the lantern fall._] Ah! too late——!
[BIÖRN _enters hurriedly from the right, carrying a
light._
ELINA.
[_Goes towards him._] What is amiss, Biörn? What is it?
BIÖRN.
An ambuscade! Count Sture——
ELINA.
Count Sture? What of him?
NILS LYKKE.
Have they killed him?
BIÖRN.
[_To Elina._] Where is your mother?
TWO RETAINERS.
[_Rushing in from the right._] Lady Inger! Lady Inger!
[LADY INGER GYLDENLÖVE _enters by the furthest back
door on the left, with a branch-candlestick,
lighted, in her hand, and says quickly:_
LADY INGER.
I know all. Down with you to the courtyard! Keep the gate
open for our friends, but closed against all others!
[_Puts down the candlestick on the table to the
left._ BIÖRN _and the two_ RETAINERS _go out
again to the right._
LADY INGER.
[_To_ NILS LYKKE.] So _that_ was the trap, Sir Councillor!
NILS LYKKE.
Inger Gyldenlöve, believe me——!
LADY INGER.
An ambuscade that was to snap him up as soon as you had
secured the promise that should destroy me!
NILS LYKKE.
[_Takes out the paper and tears it to pieces._] There is
your promise. I keep nothing that can bear witness against
you.
LADY INGER.
What is this?
NILS LYKKE.
From this hour will I put your thoughts of me to shame. If I
have sinned against you,—by Heaven I will strive to repair
my crime. But now I _must_ out, if I have to hew my way
through the gate!—Elina—tell your mother all!—And you, Lady
Inger, let our reckoning be forgotten! Be generous—and
silent! Trust me, ere dawn of day you shall owe me a life’s
gratitude. [_Goes out quickly to the right._
LADY INGER.
[_Looks after him with exultation._] ’Tis well! I understand
him.
[_Turns to_ ELINA.
Nils Lykke—? Well——?
ELINA.
He knocked upon my door, and set this ring upon my finger.
LADY INGER.
And from his soul he holds you dear?
ELINA.
He has said so, and I believe him.
LADY INGER.
Bravely done, Elina! Ha-ha, Sir Knight, now is it my turn!
ELINA.
My mother—you are so strange. Ah, yes—I know—’tis my
unloving ways that have angered you.
LADY INGER.
Not so, dear Elina! You are an obedient child. You have
opened your door to him; you have hearkened to his soft
words. I know full well what it must have cost you; for I
know your hatred——
ELINA.
But, my mother——
LADY INGER.
Hush! We have played into each other’s hands. What wiles did
you use, my subtle daughter? I saw the love shine out of his
eyes. Hold him fast now! Draw the net closer and closer
about him; and then—Ah, Elina, if we could but rend asunder
his perjured heart within his breast!
ELINA.
Woe is me—what is it you say?
LADY INGER.
Let not your courage fail you. Hearken to me. I know a word
that will keep you firm. Know then— [_Listening._] They are
fighting before the gate. Courage! Now comes the pinch!
[_Turns again to_ ELINA.] Know then: Nils Lykke was the man
that brought your sister to her grave.
ELINA.
[_With a shriek._] Lucia!
LADY INGER.
He it was, as truly as there is an Avenger above us!
ELINA.
Then Heaven be with me!
LADY INGER.
[_Appalled._] Elina——?!
ELINA.
I am his bride in the sight of God.
LADY INGER.
Unhappy child,—what have you done?
ELINA.
[_In a toneless voice._] Made shipwreck of my
soul.—Good-night, my mother!
[_She goes out to the left._
LADY INGER.
Ha-ha-ha! It goes down-hill apace with Inger Gyldenlöve’s
house. _There_ went the last of my daughters.
Why could I not keep silence? Had she known nought, it may
be she had been happy—after a kind.
It _was_ to be so. It is written up yonder in the stars that
I am to break off one green branch after another till the
trunk stand leafless at last.
’Tis well, ’tis well! I shall have my son again. Of the
others, of my daughters, I will not think.
My reckoning? To face my reckoning?—It falls not due till
the last great day of wrath.—_That_ comes not yet awhile.
NILS STENSSON.
[_Calling from outside on the right._] Ho—shut the gate!
LADY INGER.
Count Sture’s voice——!
NILS STENSSON.
[_Rushes in, unarmed, and with his clothes torn, and shouts
with a laugh of desperation._] Well met again, Inger
Gyldenlöve!
LADY INGER.
What have you lost?
NILS STENSSON.
My kingdom and my life!
LADY INGER.
And the peasants? My servants?—where are they?
NILS STENSSON.
You will find the carcasses along the highway. Who has the
rest, I cannot tell you.
OLAF SKAKTAVL.