LADY INGER (moves about for a time in uneasy silence). If Count Sture had not said farewell to the world so hurriedly, within a month he had hung on a gallows, or had sat for all his days in a dungeon. Had he been better served with such a lot? Or else he had bought his life by betraying my child into the hands of my foes. Is it
I, then, that have slain him? Does not even the wolf defend her cubs? Who dare condemn me for striking my claws into him that would have reft me of my flesh and blood?--It had to be. No mother but would have done even as I. But ’tis no time for idle musings now. I must to work.
(Sits down by the table on the left.) I will write to all my friends throughout the land. They rise as one man to support the great cause. A new king,--regent first, and then king----
(Begins to write, but falls into thought, and says softly:) Whom will they choose in the dead man’s place?--A king’s mother----? ’Tis a fair word. It has but one blemish--the hateful likeness to another word.--King’s
mother and king’s
murderer.
1
--King’s mother--one that takes a king’s life. King’s mother--one that gives a king life.
(She rises.) Well, then; I will make good what I have taken.--My son shall be king!
(She sits down again and begins writing, but pushes the paper away again, and leans back in her chair.) There is no comfort in a house where lies a corpse. ’Tis therefore I feel so strangely.
(Turns her head to one side as if speaking to some one.) Not therefore? Why else should it be?
(Broodingly.) Is there such a great gulf, then, between openly striking down a foe and slaying one--thus? Knut Alfson had cleft many a brain with his sword; yet was his own as peaceful as a child’s. Why then do I ever see this--
(makes a motion as though striking with a knife)--this stab in the heart--and the gush of red blood after?
(Rings, and goes on speaking while shifting about her papers.) Hereafter I will have none of these ugly sights. I will work both day and night. And in a month--in a month my son will be here---- ----