Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/125

 cliff.[1] They were all agreed about him. "He's a bugbear to the neighbourhood," croaked a hoarse raven. But the eagle swooped down into their midst, seized the cuckoo, and bore him aloft to his eyrie.—Heart conquered heart! From that clear summit the adventurer-cuckoo looked far and wide over the lowlands; there he found sunshine and peace; and there he learned to judge aright the swarm from the hen-yards and the clearings

Fieldbo.

[Loudly.] Bravo, bravo! And now some music.

The Chamberlain.

Hush! Don't interrupt him.

Stensgård.

Chamberlain Bratsberg—here my fable ends; and here I stand before you, in the presence of every one, to beg your forgiveness for last night.

The Chamberlain.

[Falls a step backwards.] Mine?

Stensgård.

I thank you for the magnanimous vengeance you have taken for my senseless words. In me you have henceforth a faithful champion. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I drink the health of the eagle on the mountain-top—the health of Chamberlain Bratsberg.

The Chamberlain.

[Clutching at the table.] Thank you, Mr.—Mr. Stensgård.

1 "Et brat fjeld"—an allusion to the name Bratsberg.