{"id":760,"date":"2013-07-13T01:30:14","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=760"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:30:14","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:14","slug":"68-eric-act-three-scene-1-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\/68-eric-act-three-scene-1-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","title":{"rendered":"-68_Eric-Act Three-Scene-1.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

\nAct Three <\/font><\/b>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe chamber of Eric.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\nSCENE I <\/b><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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

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

\nAt dawn have all things ready for my
\nmarch.
\nI come not back without the head of Swegn
\nOr else his living body. Send to me<\/font>\u00b9<\/font>
\nAslaug the dancing-girl.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI have resumed
\nThe empire with<\/font>\u00b2<\/font>
\nthe knowledge of myself.
\nFor this strong angel Love, this violent
\nAnd glorious guest, let it possess my heart
\nWithout a rival, not invade the brain,
\nNot with imperious discord cleave my soul
\nJangling its various<\/font>\u00b3<\/font>
\nharmonies, nor turn
\nThe manifold music of humanity
\nInto a single and a maddening note.
\nStrength in the nature,<\/font>4
\n<\/font><\/sup>wisdom in the mind,
\nLove in the heart complete the trinity
\nOf glorious manhood. There was the wide flaw, \u2014
\nThe coldness of the radiance that I was.
\nThis was the vacant gap<\/font>5<\/font><\/sup>
\nI could not fill.
\nIt left my soul the torso of a god,
\nA great design unfinished and my works
\nMighty and crude like things admired that pass,
\nBare of the immortality that keeps
\nThe ages. O, the word they spoke was true!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9<\/font>Alternative
\nto two lines: <\/font><\/p>\n

\nLet none be near tonight. Send here to me
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\u00b2<\/font>and     
\n<\/font>\u00b3<\/font>ordered     
\n4<\/sup>spirit,      5<\/sup>space <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 522<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n‘Tis Love, ’tis Love fills up the gulfs<\/font>\u00b9<\/font> of Time.
\nBy Love we find our kinship with the stars,
\nThe spacious uses of the sky. God’s image
\nLives nobly perfect in the soul he made,
\nReflected in the nature of a man.<\/font>\u00b2 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAslaug enters.
\n<\/i>Thou com’st to me! I give thee grace no more.
\nWhat hast thou in thy bosom?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOnly a heart.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nA noble heart, though wayward. Give it me,
\nAslaug, to be the secret of the dawns,
\nThe heart of sweetness housed in Aslaug’s breast
\nDelivered from revolt and ruled by love.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhy hast thou sent for me and forced to come?
\nWilt thou have pity on me even yet
\nAnd on thyself?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI am a warrior, one
\nWho have known not mercy. Wilt thou teach it me ?
\nI have learned, Aslaug, from my soul and Life
\nThe great wise pitiless calmness of the gods,
\nFound for my strength the proud swift blows they deal
\nAt all resistance to their absolute walk,
\nThor’s hammer-stroke upon the unshaped world.
\nIts will is beaten on a dreadful forge,
\nIts roads are hewn by violence divine.
\nIs there a greater and a sweeter way?
\nKnowest thou it ? Wilt thou lead me there ? Thy step
\nSwift and exultant, canst thou tread its flowers ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9<\/font>gaps      <\/font>
\n\u00b2<\/font> When Love completes the godhead in a man. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 523<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tASLAUG <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI know not who inspires thy speech; it probes.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy mind tonight is full of Norway’s needs.
\nAslaug, she takes thy image.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMine. O if
\nTonight I were not Norway!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI knew and I remember.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYes, Swegn, \u2014 a soul
\nBrilliant and furious, violent and great,
\nA storm, a wind-swept ocean, not a man.
\nThat would seize<\/font>\u00b9<\/font> Norway ? that will make it one ?
\nBut Odin gave the work to me. I came
\nInto this mortal frame for Odin’s work.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSo deify ambition and desire!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIf one could snap this mortal body, then<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSwegn even might rule, \u2014 not govern himself, yet govern<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAll Norway! Aslaug, canst thou rule thyself?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n‘Tis difficult for great and passionate hearts.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThen Swegn must die that Eric still may rule!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9<\/font>That will hold <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 524<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWas there no other way the gods could find?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nA deadly duel are the feuds of kings.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tASLAUG <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

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

\nShe feels for her dagger.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAslaug, thou feelest for thy heart?
\nUnruled, it follows violent impulses,
\nThis way, that way; working calamity,
\nDreams that it helps the world. What shall I do,
\nAslaug, with an unruly noble heart ?
\nShall we not load it with the chains of love,
\nAnd rob it of its treasured pain and wrath
\nAnd bind it to its own supreme desire ?
\nRichly ‘twould beat beneath an absolute rule
\nAnd sweetly liberated from itself
\nBy a golden bondage.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd what of other impulses it holds?
\nShall they not once rebel ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThey shall keep still;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThey shall not cry nor question; they shall trust.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt cannot be that he reads all my heart!
\nThe gods play with me in his speech.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nWhy thou art called?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 525<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tASLAUG <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI know why I am here.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nFew know that, Aslaug, why they have come here,
\nFor that is heaven’s secret. Sit down beside me,
\nNearer my heart. No hesitating! Come.
\nI do not seize thy hands.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThey yet are free.
\nIs it the gods who bid me to strike soon?
\nMy heart reels down into a flaming gulf.
\nIf thou wouldst rule with love, must thou not spare
\nThy enemies ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhen they have yielded. <\/b> Is thy choice made ?
\nWhatever defence thou hast against me yet
\nUse quickly, before I seize these restless hands,
\nAnd thy more restless heart that flees from bliss.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAslaug rises trembling.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDesired’st thou me not to dance tonight,
\nO King, before thee?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIt was my will. Is it thine
\nNow ? Dance, while yet thy limbs are thine.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI dance
\nThe dance of Thiordis with the dagger, taught
\nTo Hertha in Trondhjem and by her to me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 526<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nAslaug, my dancing-girl, thou and thy dance
\nHave daring, but too little subtlety.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>(moving to a distance)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat use to struggle longer in the net?
\nVain agony, since he watches and he knows!
\nI’ll strike him suddenly. One who was fit
\nFor what I purpose, would not shrink at all
\nFinding the abyss about her either way,
\nBut striking cleanse the touch in her own blood.
\nSo might one act who was not her heart’s prey.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWilt thou play vainly with that fatal toy?
\nDance now!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy limbs refuse.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThey have no right.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO gods, I did not know myself till now,
\nThrown in this furnace. Odin’s irony
\nShaped me from Olaf’s seed! I am in love
\nWith chains and servitude and my heart desires,
\nFluttering, like a wild bird within its cage,
\nA tyrant’s harshness.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWilt thou dance ? or wait
\nTill the enamoured motion of thy limbs
\nRemember joy of me ? So would I have
\nThy perfect movement<\/font>\u00b9<\/font> grow a dream of love.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9motion <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 527<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nBut that shall be when Norway’s only mine,
\nSwegn taken. Tomorrow at the dawn I march<\/font>\u00b9<\/font>
\nTowards vehement<\/font>\u00b2<\/font> battle and the sword of Swegn
\nBring back to be thy plaything, a support
\nAppropriate to thy action in the dance.
\nAslaug, it shall replace thy dagger.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFate
\nStill drives me with his speech, and Eric calls
\nMy weakness on to slaughter Eric. Yes,
\nBut he suspects, he knows. Yet will I strike,
\nYet will I tread down my rebellious heart,
\nAnd when ’tis done, I’ll strike myself and finish
\nWith grief and shame and love.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhere is thy chain
\nI gave thee, Aslaug? I would watch it rise,
\nRubies of passion on a bosom of snow,
\nAnd climb again upon thy breast aheave<\/font>\u00b3<\/font>
\nWith the sea’s rhythm as thou dancest. Dance
\nWeaving my life a measure with thy feet,
\nAnd of thy dancing I will weave the stroke
\nThat conquers Swegn.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe necklace ? I will bring it.
\nRubies of passion! Blood-drops still of death!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nThe power to strike has gone out of her arm
\nAnd only in her stubborn thought survives.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9<\/font>Alternative to two lines:
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTomorrow at the dawning will I march
\n<\/font>\u00b2<\/font>violent      <\/font>
\n\u00b3<\/font>And climb forever on thy breast aheave <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 528<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nShe thinks that she will strike. Let it be tried!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe lies back and feigns to
\nsleep. Aslaug returns.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNow I could slay him! But he will open his eyes<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAppalling with the beauty of his gaze.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe did not know of peril! All he has said<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWas only at a venture thought and spoken, \u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOr spoken by Fate? Sleeps he his latest sleep?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMight I not touch him only once in love \u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd none know of it but death and I \u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhom I must slay like one who hates ? Not hate,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO Eric, but the hard necessity<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe gods have sent upon our lives, \u2014 two flames<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat meet to quench each other. Once, Eric! then<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe cruel rest. Why did I touch him? I am faint!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy strength ebbs from me. O thou glorious god,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhy wast thou Swegn’s and Aslaug’s enemy?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWe might so easily have loved. But death<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNow intervenes and claims thee at my hands \u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd this alone he leaves to me, to slay thee<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd die with thee, our only wedlock. Death!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhose death? Eric’s or Swegn’s? For one I kill.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDreadful necessity of choice! His breath<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nComes quietly and with a happy rhythm,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHis eyes are closed like Odin’s in heaven’s sleep.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIf I must strike, it could be only now;<\/font>\u00b9<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor Time is like a sapper, mining still<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe little resolution that I keep.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSwegn’s death or life upon that little stands.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSwegn’s death or life and such an easy stroke!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYet so impossible to lift my hand!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo wait ? To watch more moments these closed lids,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis quiet face and try to dream that all<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs different! But the moments are Fate’s thoughts<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9<\/font>I must strike blindly out or not at all; <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 529<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWatching us.<\/font>\u00b9<\/font> While I pause, my brother’s slain,
\nMyself I am doomed a concubine and slave!
\nI must not think of him! Close, O mind, close, O eyes!
\nFree the unthinking hand to its harsh work. <\/font>
\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe lifts twice the dagger and lowers
\nit twice, then flings it on the ground, falling<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\non her knees at Eric’s feet.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nEric of Norway, live and do thy will
\nWith Aslaug, sister of Swegn and Olaf’s child,
\nAslaug of Trondhjem! For her thought is grown<\/font>\u00b2<\/font>
\nA harlot and her heart a concubine,
\nHer hand her brother’s murderess.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThou hast broken<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAt last!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAh, I am broken by my weak
\nAnd evil nature. Spare me not, O King,
\nOne vileness, one humiliation known
\nTo tyranny. Be not unjustly merciful!
\nFor I deserve and I consent to all.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAslaug!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNo, I deny my name and parentage.
\nI am not she who lived in Trondhjem: she
\nWould not have failed, but slain even though she loved.
\nLet no voice call me Aslaug any more.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSister of Swegn, thou knowest that I love.
\nDaughter of Olaf, shouldst thou not aspire<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9<\/font>me.      <\/font>
\n\u00b2<\/font>now <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 530<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nTo sit by me on Norway’s throne ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tASLAUG <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDesist!
\nThou shalt not utterly pollute the seat
\nWhere Olaf sat. If I had struck and slain,
\nI would deserve a more than regal chair;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut not on such must Norway’s diadem rest,
\nA weakling with a hand as impotent
\nAnd faltering as her heart, a sensual slave
\nWhose passionate body overcomes her high
\nIntention. Rather do thy tyrant will.
\nKing, if thou spare me, I will slay thee yet.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nRecoil not from thy heart, but strongly see
\nAnd let its choice be absolute over thy soul.
\nIts way once taken thou shalt find thy heart
\nRapid; for absolute and extreme in all,
\nIn yielding as in slaying thou must be,
\nSweet violent spirit whom thy gods surprise.
\nSubmit thyself without ashamed reserve.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat more canst thou demand than I have given?
\nI am prone to thee, prostrate, yielded.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThrow from thee
\nThe bitterness of thy self-abasement. Find
\nThat thou hast only joy in being mine.
\nThou tremblest?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYes, with shame and grief and love.
\nThou art my Fate and I am in thy grasp.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 531<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nAnd shall it spare thee ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSpare Swegn. I am in thy hands.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIs’t a condition ? I am lord of thee
\nAnd lord of Swegn to slay him or to spare.<\/font> 
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNo, an entreaty. I am fallen here,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy head is at thy feet, my life is in thy hands.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe luxury of fall is in my heart.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nRise up then, Aslaug, and obey thy lord.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhat is thy will with me?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThis, Aslaug, first.
\nTake up thy dagger, Aslaug, dance thy dance
\nOf Thiordis with the dagger. See those near me;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor I shall sit nor, shouldst thou strike, defend.
\nWhat thy passion chose, let thy fixed heart confirm;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy life and kingdom twice are in thy hands
\nAnd I will keep them only as thy gift.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSo are they thine already; but I obey.
\nEric, my King and Norway’s, my life is mine
\nNo longer, but for thee to keep or break.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSwegn’s life I hold. Thou gavest it to me<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 532<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWith the dagger.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is thine to save.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNorway
\nThou hast given casting it forever away
\nFrom Olaf’s line.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat thou hast taken, I give.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAt last thyself without one refuge left
\nAgainst my passionate strong devouring love.
\nThou seest I spare thee nothing.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>(faintly)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI am thine.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDo what thou wilt with me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBecause thou hast no help.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI have no help. My gods have brought me here
\nAnd given me into thy dreadful hands.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThou art content at last that they have breathed<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis plot into thy mind to snare thy soul<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn its own violence, bring to me a slave,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA bright-limbed prisoner and thee to thy lord?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThy dagger could no more have touched my heart<\/font>\u00b9<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThough undefended, than a wind the sun:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9<\/font>breast, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 533<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nFate and thy love were my friends within thy heart.
\nSee Odin’s sign to thee.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tASLAUG <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI know it now.
\nI recognise with, prostrate heart my fate
\nAnd I will quietly put on my chains
\nNor ever strive or wish to break them more.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYield up to me the burden of thy fate
\nAnd treasure of thy limbs and priceless life.
\nI will be careful of the golden trust.
\nIt was unsafe with thee. And now submit
\nGladly at last. Surrender body and soul,
\nO Aslaug, to thy lover and thy lord.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCompel me; they cannot resist thy will.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBut I will have thy heart’s surrender, not
\nThe body only. Give me up thy heart.
\nOpen its secret chambers, yield their keys.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO Eric, is not my heart already thine,
\nMy body thine, my soul into thy grasp
\nDelivered? I rejoice that God has played
\nThe grand comedian with my tragedy
\nAnd trapped me in the snare of thy delight.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAslaug, the world’s sole woman! thou cam’st here
\nTo save for us our hidden hopes of joy
\nParted by old confusion. Some day surely
\nThe world too shall be saved from death by Love.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 534<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThou hast saved Swegn, helped Norway. Aslaug, see,
\nFreya within her niche commands this room
\nAnd incense burns to her. Nor Thor for thee,
\nBut Freya.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou for me! not other gods.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAslaug, thou hast a ring upon thy hands:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBefore Freya give it me and wear instead
\nThis ancient circle of Norwegian rites.
\nThe thing this means shall bind thee to our joy,
\nBeloved, while the upbuilded worlds endure.
\nThen if thy spirit wander from its home,
\nFreya shall find her thrall and lead her back
\nA million years from now.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>SLAUG
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA million lives!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 535<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Act Three The chamber of Eric. SCENE I     Eric, Harald. ERIC At dawn have all things ready for my march. I come not…<\/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-760","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\/760","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=760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/760\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}