Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/444

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Good, good. And how did my dream seem to affect the soldiers?

Some praised you with joyful voices, and hailed you as divine; others on the contrary

Those others were Galileans, Kytron!

Yes, yes, most of them were Galileans; and these smote upon their breasts and uttered loud lamentations.

I will not let the matter rest here. The busts of myself, which I have provided for erection in the towns I am to conquer, shall be set up round the camp, over all the paymasters' tables. Lamps shall be lighted beside the busts; braziers, with sweet-smelling incense, shall burn before them; and every soldier, as he comes forward to receive his pay, shall cast some grains of incense on the fire.

Most gracious Emperor, forgive me, but—is that expedient?

Why not? I marvel at you, my Oribases!

Ah, sire, you may well marvel? Not expedient to?