cultural resources in henrik ibsen's early environment - Ibsen.net

SCENE ELEVEN.
ELISABETH alone.
Now I shall show Flemming I can act,
And that I do not sit idle,
And expect time to do everything. But as punishment
For his impetuosity, he shall not know
The plan I make. Ebbesen is the man!
He is steady, I shall entrust myself to him;
The other by his impulsiveness could
Spoil the whole game.... Ah! There he is!
SCENE TWELVE.
ELISABETH. EBBESEN.
EBBESEN.
You are no doubt wondering, my noble young lady,
Why I approach you so secretly;
The king does not know of my errand,
Nor should anyone else know of it.
I heard terrified that your wedding
To me, which is scarcely worthy of success,
Was scheduled to be held already this evening.
It weighed heavily on my conscience
That I had not yet asked for your hand.
Our marriage has been decided by the king;
But it would be unchivalrous, unmanly of me
To take advantage of that, when first I ought to
Find out if your love is so inclined.
You have never told me that you love me,
And truly, when I consider it myself,
Then it seems very reasonable
That you can make many better choices.
Therefore I swear to you, as an honest man;
I should rather expose myself to the king's wrath,
Than marry you against your will.
200