Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/224

 Though I must own I shudder at The dire confusion I behold. But while there's life there's hope, and you Are by this gift baptized anew To obligations yet more great Of serving, by your Church, the State. Men need a rule in all they do; Or reckless forces, breaking loose, Like colts undaunted by the curb, Spurn gates and fences, and disturb The thousand landmarks of old Use. Each order'd mode of life proclaims One Law, that goes by many names. The Artist calls it School, and I'm Mistaken if I have not heard Our soldiers call it keeping time. Ah yes, friend, that's the very word! That's what the State desires at last! Double-quick time gets on too fast, And goose-step lags too far behind; All men to step alike, and beat The selfsame music with their feet, That is the method to its mind!

Kennel the eagle;—and let loose On empyrean flights the goose!

We, thank the Lord, are not as these;— But if we must use allegory, We'll turn to Scripture, if you please. For every case it has a story, From Genesis to Revelation It swarms with stimulating Fable; I will but hint, in illustration,