Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/127



First of all, get a passage clear From men to men, from place to place. There were no two opinions here On that, until you show'd your face. Now you've made all confusion, dashing Aurora-flames with lantern light; With such cross-luminaries flashing, Who can distinguish wrong from right, Tell what will mar, and what will mend? All diverse things you mix and blend, And into hostile camps divide Those who should triumph side by side.

Here, notwithstanding, I abide. Man chooses not his labour's sphere. Who knows and follows out his call, Has seen God's writing on the wall, In words of fire, "Your place is here!"

Stay, then, but keep within your borders; You're free to purge the folk of crimes, Vices, and other rifle disorders; God knows, it's needed oftentimes! But don't make every working-day A Sabbath, and your flag display, As if the Almighty were on board Of every skiff that skims the fjord.

To use your counsel, I must change My soul and all her vision's range; But we are called, ourselves to be,