Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 1).pdf/415

 The means, my friend—? 'Build not upon the sand,' Says Scripture. If, upon the other hand, The Offering—

That's no trifle, I'm aware.

Ah, come—that wholly alters the affair. When men are zealous in their Offering, And liberal—

There he far surpasses most.

"He" say you? How? In virtue of his post The Offering is not what he has to bring But what he has to get.

[looking towards the background].

They're sitting there.

[''after staring a moment in amazement, suddenly understands and bursts out laughing''].

Hurrah for Offerings—the ones that caper And strut—on Holy-days—in bulging paper!

All the year round the curb and bit we bear, But Whitsuntide and Christmas make things square.