Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/159

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act iii.]
caesar's apostasy.
123

Julian.

Which of us? Which? All hangs on that!

Maximus.

Thou knowest more than I. What said the voice in the light?

Julian.

The voice in the light——!

[With a cry.] The empire! The empire? To found the empire——! Maximus. The third empire! Julian. No; a thousand times no! Away, corrupter! I renounce thee and all thy works—— Maximus. And necessity? Julian. I defy necessity! I will not serve it! I am free, free, free![1] [A noise outside; the dancing-girls and flute-players take to flight.


Maximus.

[Listening towards the right.] What is this alarm and shrieking——?

Julian.

Strange men are forcing their way into the house——

  1. See Ibsen's Correspondence, Letter 115, to George Brandes.