Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/364

328 these penitents, except that I shall give you nothing. For I am not so foolish as those others. Yes, yes, were I not firm on that point, you would soon overrun the whole court with your shamelessness. Nay, do you not already do so? Are there not many among you who would come again, even if I drove them away? Oh my dear friends, what can this lead to? Are you lovers of wisdom? Are you followers of Diogenes, whose garb and habits you ape? In truth, you do not haunt the schools nearly so much as you besiege my treasurer. What a pitiful and despicable thing has not wisdom become because of you! Oh, hypocrites and babblers without understanding! Oh you But what is yonder fat man seeking?

Sire, it is the chief magistrate of the city

The chief magistrate must wait. The matters we have in hand must take precedence of all meaner affairs. How now? Why this air of impatience? Is your business so weighty

By no means, sire; I can come another day.

[He is going.

Sire, do you not recognise this distinguished man? This is the rhetorician Libanius.

What? Libanius?. Impossible. Libanius here—the incomparable Libanius! I cannot believe it.