Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/114



She knows the call,— To offer Nothing, or else all.

Priest!

Dock the gold-calf as she will, Say, it remains an idol still.

The scourge you send her I will lay As gently on her as I may. She has this comfort left her, too: God is not quite so hard as you! [Goes.

Yes, with that comfort's carrion-breath The world still sickens unto death; Prompt, in its need, with shriek and song To lubricate the Judge's tongue. Of course! The reasonable plan! For from of old they know their man;— Since all his works the assurance breathe: "Yon gray-beard may be haggled with!"

[ has met another man on the road; they come back together.

A second message!

Yes.

[To the .]

Consent!