Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 1).pdf/439



Then Love's light cavalry, of maid and man, The plighted pairs in order—

In the van The veterans, whose troth has laughed to scorn The tooth of Time—

[hastily interrupting].

And then the babes new-born— The little novices of yester-morn—

Spring, summer, autumn, winter, in a word, Are here; the truth is patent, past all doubt, It can be clutched and handled, seen and heard,—

What then?

And yet you want to thrust it out!

Madam, you quite mistake. In all I spoke I cast no doubt on anything you claim; But I would fain remind you that, from smoke, We cannot logically argue flame. That men are married, and have children, I Have no desire whatever to deny; Nor do I dream of doubting that such things Are in the world as troth and wedding-rings;