Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/393

] for the gods; for to them we owe all our strength and all our care.

[To those by the stone basin.

It pleases me, however, to find that there are some in this stiff-necked city who are not deaf to my exhortations, but have come forth with seemly piety—and, I doubt not, have brought with them suitable offerings.

[He goes up to the Old Priest.

What do I see? One solitary old man! Where are your brethren of the temple?

Sire, they are all dead but I.

All dead! The road laid irreverently close to the sanctuary. The venerable grove hewn down

Old man—where are the sacrificial offerings?

[Pointing to the basket.] Here, sire!

Yes, yes; but the rest?

This is all.

[He opens the basket.

A goose! And this goose is all?

Yes, sire!