Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/138



[Hesitating.]

Suppose the case—that he spoke true?

Then to us all you've basely lied.

Have I?

How oft you've told us, you, That God has call'd you to the strife, That here you've made your home for life, That here you'll bear the battle through, That none may shirk the call to serve, That all must fight and never swerve, You have the Call! How flames and flashes In many a heart the fire you've fed!

This people's heart is hard and dead! Their ear is deaf, their fire is ashes!

O, you know better;—radiant day To many a heart has found its way.

In tenfold others all is night.

You're sent to be their beacon-light But be the numbers as you choose, Here is no need to closely scan; For here I stand, one only Man,