Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/190



[To himself.]

Voice and feature pierce me still With a dim and icy dread.

Thou shalt warm thee, if thou'rt chill; And thy hungry child be fed.

Where there's warmth and where there's light Brats of gipsies may not stay; We must haunt the lone highway, Hill and forest, heath and height; We must wander, we must roam, Leave to others house and home. I must swiftly from this place. Dogs of justice are behind me, Mayor, bailiff, all in chase, Hungering to catch and bind me!

Here thou shalt have shelter.

Here! Roof'd above and wall'd about? No! The winter night is clear, And the breezes blithe without. But a rag to wrap the child! That were something! Sooth, its wild Rascal brother fled, and bore With him all the clouts it wore. Look, it lies half naked—blue, Stiff and stark and frozen through, By the storm-wind's icy breath.