Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 4).djvu/182

 cared for me, spite of all my sins!-
 * [Draws a deep breath.]
 * What a marvellous feeling of safety and peace
 * it gives one to know oneself specially shielded!
 * But the desert! What about, food and drink?
 * Oh, something I'm sure to find. He'll see to that.
 * There's no cause for alarm;-
 * [Loud and insinuatingly.]
 * He would never allow
 * a poor little sparrow like me to perish!
 * Be but lowly of spirit. And give him time.
 * Leave it all in the Lord's hands; and don't be cast down.-
 * [With a start of terror.]
 * Can that be a lion that growled in the reeds-?
 * [His teeth chattering.]
 * No, it wasn't a lion.
 * [Mustering up courage.]
 * A lion, forsooth!
 * Those beasts, they'll take care to keep out of the way.
 * They know it's no joke to fall foul of their betters.
 * They have instinct to guide them;-they feel, what's a fact,
 * that it's dangerous playing with elephants.-
 * But all the same-. I must find a tree.
 * There's a grove of acacias and palms over there;
 * if I once can climb up, I'll be sheltered and safe,-
 * most of all if I knew but a psalm or two.
 * [Clambers up.]
 * Morning and evening are not alike;
 * that text has been oft enough weighed and pondered.
 * [Seats himself comfortably.]
 * How blissful to feel so uplifted in spirit.
 * To think nobly is more than to know oneself rich.
 * Only trust in Him. He knows well what share
 * of the chalice of need I can bear to drain.