Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/405

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How know you that that bygone beauty was beautiful—in itself—apart from the spectator's idea?

Ah, Maximus, that is just the question. What exists in itself? After to-day I know of nothing.

[He kicks the head of Apollo.

Have you ever been mightier, in yourself?

Strange, Maximus, that there should dwell such strength in delusion. Look at those Galileans. And look at me in the old days, when I thought it possible to build up again the fallen world of beauty.

Friend—if delusion be a necessity to you, return to the Galileans. They will receive you with open arms.

You know well that that is impossible. Emperor and Galilean! How reconcile that contradiction?

Yes, this Jesus Christ is the greatest rebel that ever lived. What was Brutus—what was Cassius, compared with him? They murdered only the man Julius Caesar; but he murders all that is called Caesar or Augustus. Is peace conceivable between the Galilean and the Emperor? Is there room for the two of them together upon the earth? For he lives on the earth, Maximus,—the Galilean lives, I say, however thoroughly both Jews and Romans imagined that they had killed him; he lives in the rebellious minds of men; he lives in their scorn and defiance of all visible authority.