Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 4).djvu/300



Not too much fire;—and chiefly The power of departing in safety and peace,— The right, as the phrase goes, of freely withdrawing Should an opening offer for happier days.

My dear friend, I vow I'm sincerely distressed; But you cannot imagine how many petitions Of similar purport good people send in, When they're quitting the scene of their earthly activity.

But now that I think of my past career, I feel I've an absolute claim to admission

'Twas but trifles, you said

In a certain sense;— But, now I remember, I've trafficked in slaves

There are men that have trafficked in wills and souls, But who bungled it so that they failed to get in.

I've shipped Bramah-figures in plenty to China.

Mere wish-wash again! Why, we laugh at such things.