Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/306



Ingeborg,—Ingeborg!

Oh, let me look at you—look long at you, so long! [Seizes his hands; a pause.] You fair, you deeply loved, you faithless man!

Take off that veil; look at me with the eyes that once were as clear and blue as the sky.

These eyes have been but a rain-clouded sky for twenty years; you would not know them again, and you shall never see them more.

But your voice is fresh and soft and young as ever!

I have used it only to whisper your name, to imprint your greatness in a young heart, and to pray to the sinners' God for grace toward us twain, who have loved in sin.

You have done that?

I have been silent save to speak loving words of you;—therefore has my voice remained fresh and soft and young.