Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 4).djvu/242



Well, patience is wholesome.

Bear away from that sea!

There the wreck capsized!

All is silent of a sudden!

Were they married, as you think, There are three new-baked widows even now in the world.

[''The storm increases. moves away aft.''

There is no faith left among men any more,— No Christianity,—well may they say it and write it;— Their good deeds are few and their prayers are still fewer, And they pay no respect to the Powers above them.— In a storm like to-night's, he's a terror, the Lord is. These beasts should be careful, and think, what's the truth, That it's dangerous playing with elephants;— And yet they must openly brave his displeasure! I am no whit to blame; for the sacrifice I can prove I stood ready, my money in hand. But how does it profit me?—What says the proverb? A conscience at ease is a pillow of down.