Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/251

] that you can do anything for a cause which has despaired of itself. You will be beaten, I tell you! And where will you turn then? Disowned by Constantius, you will be disowned by all other powers on earth,—and over the earth. Or will you flee to the Galilean's bosom? How stands the account between you and him? Did you not own, a moment ago, that you are under the terror? Have you his commands within you? Do you love your enemy, Constantius, even if you do not smite him? Do you hate the lusts of the flesh or the alluring joys of this world, even if you do not, like a heated swimmer, plunge into their depths? Do you renounce the world, because you have not courage to make it your own? And are you so very sure that—if you die here—you shall live yonder?

[Pacing to and fro.] What has he done for me, he who exacts so much? If he hold the reins of the world-chariot in his hands, it must have been within his power to

[The psalm-singing in the church becomes louder.

Listen, listen! They call that serving him. And he accepts it as a sweet-smelling sacrifice. Praise of himself,—and praise of her in the coffin! If he be omniscient, how then can he?

[''Coming hastily down through the passage on the left.''] My Caesar! My lord, my lord; where are you?

Here, Eutherius? What would you with me?