Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/135

 O Agnes, Agnes, death has spun His web about our little son!

Foreboding trembled in my heart,— And yet I only knew a part.

[To the .]  But flight will save him? That is sure? The life a father day and night Watches, all perils can endure. Be all to him! and healthy, bright, You soon shall see him, be secure! Thanks, thanks! [To .]                  In down enclose him well; Chill sweeps the night-wind from the fell. [ goes in.  The  silently watches, who gazes fixedly through the door; then goes to him, and lays his hand on his shoulder.

So tender to his own distress. And to the world so merciless! For them avails not more nor less! Only Law's absolute Nought or All, But now—no sooner sees he fall The dooming lot,—his valour's flown; —The sacrificial lamb's his own!