Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/165

 conviction that these laggards, these relics of a decaying order of thought, are diligently cutting their own throats. They need no doctor to hasten their end. And it is not people of that sort that constitute the real danger to society; it is not they who are most active in poisoning the sources of our spiritual life and making a plague-spot of the ground beneath our feet; it is not they who are the most dangerous enemies of truth and freedom in our society.

Cries from All Sides.

Who, then? Who is it? Name, name!

Dr. Stockmann.

Yes, you may be sure I shall name them! For this is the great discovery I made yesterday: [In a louder tone.] The most dangerous foe to truth and freedom in our midst is the compact majority. Yes, it's the confounded, compact, liberal majority—that, and nothing else! There, I've told you.

[Immense disturbance in the room. Most of the audience are shouting, stamping, and whistling. Several elderly gentlemen exchange furtive glances and seem to be enjoying the scene. Mrs. Stockmann rises in alarm. Eilif and Morten advance threateningly towards the school-*boys, who are making noises. Aslaksen rings the bell and calls for order. Hovstad and Billing both speak, but nothing can be heard. At last quiet is restored.

Aslaksen.

I must request the speaker to withdraw his ill-considered expressions.