Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 4).djvu/170



[Clinking glasses with him.]

How strengthening it is to hear A principle thus acted out, Freed from the night of theory, Unshaken by the outward ferment!

[''Who has been drinking freely during the preceding passages.'']

We Northland men know how to carry Our battle through! The key to the art Of life's affairs is simply this: To keep one's ear close shut against The ingress of one dangerous viper.

What sort of viper, pray, dear friend?

A little one that slyly wiles you To tempt the irretrievable.

[Drinking again.

The essence of the art of daring, The art of bravery in act, Is this: To stand with choice-free foot Amid the treacherous snares of life,— To know for sure that other days Remain beyond the day of battle,— To know that ever in the rear A bridge for your retreat stands open. This theory has borne me on, Has given my whole career its colour; And this same theory I inherit, A race-gift, from my childhood's home.