Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 4).djvu/258

 that the pastor's homily turned upon,-
 * is full, in its essence, of edification.
 * [Looks down upon the grave.]
 * Was it he, I wonder, that hacked through his knuckle
 * that day I was out hewing logs in the forest?
 * Who knows? If I weren't standing here with my staff
 * by the side of the grave of this kinsman in spirit,
 * I could almost believe it was I that slept,
 * and heard in a vision my panegyric.-
 * It's a seemly and Christianlike custom indeed
 * this casting a so-called memorial glance
 * in charity over the life that is ended.
 * I shouldn't at all mind accepting my verdict
 * at the hands of this excellent parish priest.
 * Ah well, I dare say I have some time left
 * ere the gravedigger comes to invite me to stay with him;-
 * and as Scripture has it: What's best is best,-
 * and: Enough for the day is the evil thereof,-
 * and further: Discount not thy funeral.-
 * Ah, the church, after all, is the true consoler.
 * I've hitherto scarcely appreciated it;-
 * but now I feel clearly how blessed it is
 * to be well assured upon sound authority:
 * Even as thou sowest thou shalt one day reap.-
 * One must be oneself; for oneself and one's own
 * one must do one's best, both in great and in small things.
 * If the luck goes against you, at least you've the honour
 * of a life carried through in accordance with principle.-