Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/397

] renounce your delusions concerning the Galilean's power, and that you acknowledge both the Emperor and our gods to be greater than he.

Imagine no such thing. Your gods are powerless; and if you cling to these graven images, that can neither hear nor see, you yourself 'will soon be as powerless as they.

Cyrillus—is this what you have to say?

No; I come to thank you. Hitherto I have dreaded you and your tortures. But in the hour of agony I won the victory of the spirit over all that is corruptible. Yes, Emperor, while your hirelings thought I was hanging in torment from the prison roof,—I lay, happy as a child, in my Saviour's arms; and when your executioners seemed to be flaying my body with stripes, the Lord passed his healing hand over the wounds, took away the crown of thorns, and placed on my brow the crown of life.

Therefore I thank you; no mortal has ever done me so great a service as you.

And lest you should think I fear you for the future, see

[He throws back his cloak, tears open his wounds and casts pieces of flesh at the Emperor's feet.

—see—see—gorge yourself with the blood you thirst after! But as for me, know that I thirst after Jesus Christ alone.

[''Shrieks of horror are heard among the crowd.''