Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/221

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act iv.]
caesar's apostasy.
185

Julian.

What power has your hapless Caesar, my friends? They would take me to Rome. They deny even the control of my private affairs. They seize upon my share of the spoils of war. I thought to give every soldier five gold pieces and a pound of silver, but——

The Soldiers.

What does he say?

Julian.

'Tis not the Emperor who forbids it, but bad and envious councillors. The Emperor is good, my dear friends! But oh, the Emperor is sick; he can do nothing——

Many Soldiers.

Five gold pieces and a pound of silver!

Other Soldiers.

And that they deny us!

Others Again.

Who dares deny Caesar anything?

Maurus.

Is it thus they treat Caesar, the soldiers' father?

Laipso.

Caesar, who has been rather our friend than our master? Is it not true?

Many Voices.

Yes, yes, it is!