{"id":695,"date":"2013-07-13T01:29:46","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=695"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:29:46","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:29:46","slug":"67-eric-act-two-scene-2-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/01-sabcl\/06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06\/67-eric-act-two-scene-2-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","title":{"rendered":"-67_Eric-Act Two-Scene-2.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

\n
\nSCENE II <\/font><\/b><\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\n <\/div>\n

\n

\n <\/div>\n

\nEric, Hertha.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI sent for thee to know thy name and birth.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy name is Hertha and my birth too mean
\nTo utter before Norway’s lord.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYet speak.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA Trondhjem peasant and a serving-girl
\nWere parents to me.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd from such a stock
\nThy beauty and thy wit and grace were born?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe gods prodigiously sometimes reverse
\nThe common rule of Nature and compel
\nMatter with soul. How else should it be guessed
\nThat gods exist at all?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWho nurtured thee?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA dancing-girl of Gothberg by a lord
\nOf Norway entertained, to whom a child
\nI was delivered. Song and dance were hers;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI made them mine.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 514<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTheir names? the thrall? the lord?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOlaf of Norway, earl of Trondhjem then,
\nAnd Thiordis whom he loved.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou knowest Swegn,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe rebel?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYes, I know.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd lov’st perhaps ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMyself much better.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYes ? He is a man
\nTreacherous and rude and ruthless, is he not?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>(with a movement)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI would not speak of kings and mighty earls:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThese things exceed my station.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAh, thou lov’st!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou wilt not blame.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou art mistaken. King.
\nHe cannot conquer and he will not yield,
\nBut weakens Norway. This in him I blame.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 515<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou hast seen that? Thy peasant father got
\nA wondrous politician for his child!
\nDo I abash thee?<\/font>  <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI am what the Gods
\nHave made me. But I understand at last;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou think’st me other than I seem.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSome thought<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLike that I had.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nKing Eric, wilt thou hear?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI much desire it, if I hear the truth.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBetray me not to Aslaug then.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThat’s just.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe shall not know.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat if I came, O King,
\nFor other purpose, not to sing and dance,
\nAnd yet thy friend, the well-wisher, at least,
\nOf Norway and her peace ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSpeak plainly now.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 516<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIf I can show thee how to conquer Swegn
\nWithout one stroke of battle, wilt thou grant
\nMy bitter need ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nI would give much.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWilt thou?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIf so I conquer him and thy desire<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs something I can grant without a hurt<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo Norway or myself.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSpeak then,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDemand.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI have not finished yet. Meantime
\nIf I avert a danger from thy head
\nNow threatening it, do I not earn rewards
\nMore ample?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMore ? <\/b> On like conditions, then.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIf I yield up great enemies to thy hands<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou know’st not of, wilt thou reject my price,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nConfusing different debts in one account ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 517<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHast thou yet more to ask? Thou art too shrewd
\nA bargainer.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGiving Norway needed peace,
\nThyself friends, safety, empire, is my claim
\nExcessive then?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI grant thee three demands.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThey are all. He asks not more who has enough.
\nThrice shall I ask and thrice shall Eric give
\nAnd never have an enemy again
\nIn Norway.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSpeak.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThy enemies are here,
\nNo dancing-girls, but Hertha, wife of Swegn,
\nAnd Aslaug, child of Olaf Thorleikson,
\nHis sister.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is well.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe danger lies
\nIn Aslaug’s hand and dagger which she means
\nTo strike into thy heart. Tonight she strikes.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd Swegn?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 518<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSend me to him with perilous word
\nOf Aslaug in thy hands; so with her life
\nBuy his surrender, afterwards his love
\nWith kingly generosity and trust.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFreely and frankly hast thou spoken. Queen
\nWho wast in Trondhjem: now as freely ask.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe life of Swegn; his liberty as well,
\nSubmitting.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThey are thine.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd Aslaug’s life
\nAnd pardon, not her liberty.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThey are given.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd, last, forgiveness for myself, O King,
\nMy treason and my plots.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis too I grant.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI have nothing left to ask for.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou hast done ?
\nLet me consign thee to thy prison then.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 519<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy prison! Wilt thou send me not to Swegn?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI will not. Why, thou subtle, dangerous head,
\nRestored to liberty, what perilous schemes
\nMight leap into thy thought! Shall I give Swegn,
\nThat fierce and splendid fighter, such a brain
\nOf cunning to complete and guide his sword ?
\nWhat if he did not yield, rejected peace ?
\nWilt thou not tell him Aslaug’s life is safe?
\nTo prison!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou hast promised, King!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI keep
\nMy promise to thee, Hertha, wife of Swegn.
\nFor Swegn thou askest life and liberty,
\nFor Aslaug life and pardon, for thyself
\nForgiveness only. I can be cunning too.
\nHertha, thou art my prisoner and thrall.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>(after a pause, smiling’)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI see. I am content. Thou showest thyself
\nNorway’s chief brain as her victorious sword.
\nFree or a prisoner, let me do homage
\nTo Eric, my King and Swegn’s.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou art content?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis face and noble bearing cannot lie.
\nI am content and feel as safe with thee
\nAs in my husband’s keeping.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 520<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>(smiling)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSo thou art,
\nThou subtle voice, thou close and daring brain.
\nI would I felt myself as safe with thee.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tH<\/font>ERTHA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nKing Eric, think me not thy enemy.
\nWhat thou desirest, I desire yet more.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>RIC
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nKeep to that well; let Aslaug not suspect.
\nMy way I’ll take with her and thee and Swegn.
\nFear nothing, Hertha; go.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHertha goes out.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nO Freya Queen,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou help’st me even as Thor and Odin did.
\nI make my Norway one.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\nCurtain<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 521<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE II     Eric, Hertha. ERIC I sent for thee to know thy name and birth. HERTHA My name is Hertha and my birth…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","wpcat-15-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=695"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}