Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/348

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Hear and bethink you, you others

[To the prisoners.] Choose between Christ and the Emperor!

Glory to God in the highest!

Terrible is the Galilean's power of delusion. It must be broken. Pass them by, the abominable crew! They cloud our gladness; they darken the day with their brooding death-hunger!—Flute-players—men, women—why are you silent? A song—a song in praise of life, and light, and happiness.

[Sings.

Gladsome with roses our locks to entwine; Gladsome to bathe in the sunlight divine!

Blissful to sleep 'neath the blood-reeking sod; Blissful to wake in the gardens of God.

Gladsome 'mid incense-clouds still to draw breath.

Blissful in blood-streams to strangle to death.

Ever for him who his godhead adoreth Deep draughts of rapture Apollo outpoureth.