Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/132



[''Goes towards him, looks at him, and shakes his head.'']

You seek, a day that is no more, In one and all things to restore. You think, God's venerable pact With man is still a living fact;— Each Age in its own way will walk; Ours is not scared by nurses' talk Of hell-bound soul and burning brand;— Humanity's our first command!

[Looking up.]

Humanity!—That sluggard phrase Is the world's watchword nowadays. With this each bungler hides the fact That he dare not and will not act; With this each weakling masks the lie, That he'll risk all for victory; With this each dastard dares to cloak Vows faintly rued and lightly broke; Your puny spirits will turn Man Himself Humanitarian! Was God "humane" when Jesus died? Had your God then his counsel given, Christ at the cross for grace had cried— And the Redemption signified A diplomatic note from Heaven.

[Hides his head, and sits in mute grief.

[Softly.]

Rage, rage thy fill, thou soul storm-stress'd;— Best were it for thee to find tears.