Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 4).djvu/271

 .-
 * Thread-balls at my feet are rolling!-
 * [Kicking at them.]
 * Off with you! You block my path!

THE THREAD-BALLS [on the ground].
 * We are thoughts;
 * thou shouldst have thought us;-
 * feet to run on
 * thou shouldst have given us!

PEER [going round about].
 * I have given life to one;-
 * 'twas a bungled, crook-legged thing!

THE THREAD-BALLS
 * We should have soared up
 * like clangorous voices,-
 * and here we must trundle
 * as grey-yarn thread-balls.

PEER [stumbling].
 * Thread-clue! You accursed scamp!
 * Would you trip your father's heels?
 * [Flees.]

WITHERED LEAVES [flying before the wind].
 * We are a watchword;
 * thou shouldst have proclaimed us!
 * See how thy dozing
 * has wofully riddled us.
 * The worm has gnawed us
 * in