Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/219



How say you, friend? Is Consecration not the end?

A House new-builded asks, as well, A cleansed Soul, therein to dwell.

All that will come without our stir. So gay, so elegant a roof Will be an adequate reproof To every unwash'd worshipper. And that delightful sounding-board, That doubles every pious word, Will render without fail our flocks Fivescore per cent. more orthodox, Results so notable as these The first-rate Nationalities Themselves, 'tis said, can hardly better.— For this your Country is your debtor, Yours only; let me then express These heartfelt, brotherly thanks of mine, To be re-echoed, as I guess, In winged words across the wine, By many a fiery young divine, When at the festal board we crown This the great day of your renown.— But, my dear Brand, you look so faint—?

My heart and hope have long been spent.

No wonder;—with so grave a care, And all unaided and unfriended.