Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/84



Ay, thou wast ever loth to stay. As boy thou long'dst to be away—

It was at your desire I went.

Ay, and good reason too, I say 'Twas needful thou shouldst be a priest.

[Examines him more closely.]

H'm, he is grown up strong and tall. But heed this word of mine, at least,— Care for thy life, son!

Is that all?

Thy life? What's dearer?

I would say: Have you more counsels to convey?

For others, use them as you may, And welcome. But thy life, O save it For my sake; it was I that gave it.

[Angrily]

Your mad deed's talked of far and near; It scares and harrows me to hear. On such a day to dare the fjord, And squander what you're bound to hoard! You of our clan survive alone, You are my son, my flesh and bone;