Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/134



[Followed by comes hastily out, and cries.]

Order your house and haste away!

Were there an earthquake I would stay!

Then you have doom'd your child to death.

[Wildly.]

The child! Alf! Alf! What phantom wraith Of fear is this! My child!

[Is about to rush into the house.

[Holding him back.]

Stay, stay.— Here summer sunshine pierces not, Here polar ice-blasts rive and rend,— Here dank and stifling mists descend. Another winter in this spot Will shrivel the tender life away. Go hence, you'll save him! No delay! To-morrow's best

To-night,—to-day! Now, ere another hour is out! O yet he shall grow strong and stout;— No blast from mountain or from shore Shall chill his baby-bosom more. Come, Agnes, lift him gently in sleep! Away along the winding deep!