something: They hate me up there--beyond the stars--
because I bore you into the world. It was meant that I should
bear the Lord God's standard over all the land. But I went my
own way. It is therefore I have had to suffer so much and so
long.

BIORN (comes from the room on the left). My lady, I have to
tell you---- Christ save me--what is this?

LADY INGER (has climbed up into the high-seat by the right-hand
wall). Hush! Hush! I am the King's mother. They have chosen
my son king. The struggle was hard ere it came to this--for 'twas
with the Almighty One himself I had to strive.

NILS LYKKE (comes in breathless from the right). He is saved!
I have Jens Bielke's promise. Lady Inger,--know that----

LADY INGER. Peace, I say! look how the people swarm.
(A funeral hymn is heard from the room within.)
There comes the procession. What a throng! All bow themselves
before the King's mother. Ay, ay; has she not fought for her son--
even till her hands grew red withal?--Where are my daughters? I
see them not.

NILS LYKKE. God's blood!--what has befallen here?

LADY INGER. My daughters--my fair daughters! I have none any
more. I had _one_ left, and her I lost even as she was mounting
her bridal bed. (Whispers.) Lucia's corpse lay in it. There
was no room for two.

NILS LYKKE. Ah--it has come to this! The Lord's vengeance is
upon me.

LADY INGER. Can you see him? Look, look! It is the King. It
is Inger Gyldenlove's son! I know him by the crown and by Sten
Sture's ring that he wears round his neck. Hark, what a joyful
sound! He is coming! Soon will he be in my arms! Ha-ha!--who
conquers, God or I.

(The Men-at-Arms come out with the coffin.)

LADY INGER (clutches at her head and shrieks). The corpse!
(Whispers.) Pah! It is a hideous dream.

(Sinks back into the high-seat.)

JENS BIELKE (who has come in from the right, stops and cries in
astonishment). Dead! Then after all----

ONE OF THE MEN-AT-ARMS. It was himself----

JENS BIELKE (with a look at NILS LYKKE). He himself----?

NILS LYKKE. Hush!

LADY INGER (faintly, coming to herself). Ay, right; now I
remember it all.

JENS BIELKE (to the Men-at-Arms). Set down the corpse. It is
not Count Sture.

ONE OF THE MEN-AT-ARMS. Your pardon, Captain;--this ring that
he wore round his neck----

NILS LYKKE (seizes his arm). Be still!

LADY INGER (starts up). The rin