Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/160

 Several Voices.

Silence up there!

Others.

He's drunk! Turn him out!

[The drunken man is turned out.

Dr. Stockmann.

Can I speak?

Aslaksen.

[Ringing the bell.] Dr. Stockmann will address the meeting.

Dr. Stockmann.

A few days ago, I should have liked to see any one venture upon such an attempt to gag me as has been made here to-night! I would have fought like a lion for my sacred rights! But now I care little enough; for now I have more important things to speak of.

[The people crowd closer round him. Morten Kiil comes in sight among the bystanders.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Continuing.] I have been pondering a great many things during these last days—thinking such a multitude of thoughts, that at last my head was positively in a whirl

Burgomaster.

[Coughing.] H'm!

Dr. Stockmann.

But presently things seemed to straighten themselves out, and I saw them clearly in all