United States or Pitcairn Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
King Skule And does it not sometimes befall that such a barren woman will slay another's child, because she herself has none? Jatgeir Ay, ay; but in that she does unwisely. King Skule Unwisely? Jatgeir Ay, for she gives the gift of sorrow to her whose child she slays. King Skule Think you the gift of sorrow is a great good? Jatgeir Yes, lord.
King Skule Have you never had another skald for your friend, and has he never unfolded to you a great and noble song he thought to make? Jatgeir Yes, lord. King Skule Did you not then wish that you could slay him, to take his thought and make the song yourself? He speaks God's deepest truth and knows it not. I am as a barren woman.
King Skule And if I, who am king and have the might if I were to have you slain, would all the unborn skald-thoughts within you die along with you? Jatgeir My lord, it is a great sin to slay a fair thought. King Skule I ask not if it be a sin: I ask if it be possible! Jatgeir I know not.
King Skule. And whom call you the unsound doubter? Jatgeir. He who doubts of his own doubt. That methinks were death. Jatgeir. 'T is worse; 't is neither day nor night. Where are my weapons? I will fight and act, not think. IBSEN: The Pretenders, Act iv. A gentleman once told me that he rarely passed another in the street without wondering if he had not accosted him in an improper manner.
Not only be kind to it 'tis not that I mean; but love it, love it with the warmest passion of her soul. Jatgeir That can only those women do who have no child of their own to love. King Skule Only those women ? Jatgeir And chiefly women who are barren. King Skule Chiefly the barren ? They love the children of others with all their warmest passion? Jatgeir That will oftentimes befall.
Jatgeir No, lord: that were to buy the crown too dear. King Skule Bethink you well: 'tis greater to be a king than a skald. Jatgeir Not always. King Skule 'Tis but your unsung songs you must sacrifice! Jatgeir Songs unsung are ever the fairest. King Skule But I must I must have one who can trust in me! Only one. I feel it: had I that I were saved! Jatgeir Trust in yourself and you will be saved!
How dead and empty is all within me and around me. Jatgeir 'Tis with the king's thoughts as with the skald's, I doubt not. They fly highest and grow quickest when there is night and stillness around. King Skule Is it so with the skald's thoughts? Jatgeir Ay, lord: no song is born by daylight; it may be written down in the sunshine, but it makes itself in the silent night.
Jatgeir 'Twas what I noted in my lodgings. The townsmen whisper together secretly, and laugh mockingly, and ask if we be well assured that King Hakon is in the west land: there is somewhat they are in glee over. King Skule They are men of Viken, and therefore against me.
Nor has he even Simeon's consolation that he could come down if he chose; for it seems that the authorities sent messengers demanding his return, with orders to let him stay if he showed willingness to come down and he stayed. Jatgeir. I needed sorrow; others there may be who need faith, or joy or doubt King Skule. Doubt as well? Jatgeir. Ay; but then must the doubter be strong and sound.
King Skule Who gave you the gift of sorrow, Jatgeir? Jatgeir She whom I loved. King Skule She died, then? Jatgeir No, she deceived me. King Skule And then you became a skald? Jatgeir Ay, then I became a skald. Jatgeir Not the gift of doubt; else would you not question so. King Skule What gift do I need? Jatgeir My lord, you are a king.
Word Of The Day