Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/325

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Håkon.

Touch it not!—It has even now been lifted in oath——

Margrete.

In oath?

Håkon.

An oath that set its sacred seal upon a death-*warrant.

Margrete.

[With a shriek.] My father! Oh, my father!

[Totters; two women rush forward to
support her.

Håkon.

Yes, Margrete—his King has doomed your father to death.

Margrete.

Then well I know he has committed a greater crime than when he took the kingly title.

Håkon.

That has he;—and now, if you feel that we must part, so let it be.

Margrete.

[Coming close to him, firmly.] We can never part! I am your wife, nought else in the world but your wife

Håkon.

Are you strong enough? Did you hear and understand all? I have doomed your father.

Margrete.

I heard and understood. You have doomed my father.