Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 4).djvu/193

 then I can always withdraw again.
 * I'm in no way bound; it's a simple matter-;
 * the whole thing is private, so to speak;
 * I can go as I came; there's my horse ready saddled;
 * I am master, in short, of the situation.

ANITRA [approaching from the tent-door].
 * Prophet and Master!

PEER
 * What would my slave?

ANITRA
 * The sons of the desert await at thy tent-door;
 * they pray for the light of thy countenance-

PEER
 * Stop!
 * Say in the distance I'd have them assemble;
 * say from the distance I hear all their prayers.
 * Add that I suffer no menfolk in here!
 * Men, my child, are a worthless crew,-
 * inveterate rascals you well may call them!
 * Anitra, you can't think how shamelessly
 * they have swind-I mean they have sinned, my child!-
 * Well, enough now of that; you may dance for me, damsels!
 * The Prophet would banish the memories that gall him.

THE GIRLS [dancing].
 * The Prophet is good! The Prophet is grieving
 * for the ill that the sons of the dust have wrough