Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/261

 Your eyes in true repentance steep, And see what blessings are in store. God in His mercy is so good, He asketh not the guiltless blood;— And our authorities as well Are singularly placable; Mayor, magistrate, and sheriff too, Will not be over hard on you; And for myself, that large humanity That marks our modern Christianity Is mine; your rulers will descend And dwell with you, as friend with friend.

But should abuses be detected, They must, past question, be corrected. When we've a little time to move, I'll have appointed a commission, To seek how best we may improve Your intellectual condition. Some clergymen it should include Such as the Dean and I think good,— And furthermore, if you prefer, The Sexton and the Schoolmaster, With others of a humbler sort,— You'll all be satisfied, in short.

Yes, we'll relieve your burdens all, As ye this day have brought relief To your old shepherd in his grief. Let each find comfort in the thought That here a miracle was wrought. Farewell! Good fortune to your haul!

Ah, there's true charity, if you will!