cre
at Stockholm known as the Blood-Bath) fled to Holland in 1523, five
years before the date assigned to this play, in order to escape
death or imprisonment at the hands of his rebellious nobles, who
summoned his uncle, Frederick I., to the throne. Returning to
Denmark in 1532, Christian was thrown into prison, where he spent
the last twenty-seven years of his life.

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 life-like 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. It will 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 I am at the end of my longings. I shall have my child again.
(Takes up the light as if to go, but stops and says musingly:)
At the end? The end? To get 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----Why not? Have not
my forefathers 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 troub