Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/176

 ought to be exterminated like vermin! You'll end by poisoning the whole country; you'll bring it to such a pass that the whole country will deserve to perish. And if ever it comes to that, I shall say, from the bottom of my heart: Perish the country! Perish all its people!

A Man.

[In the crowd.] Why, he talks like a regular enemy of the people!

Billing.

Strike me dead but there spoke the people's voice!

The Whole Assembly.

[Shouting.] Yes! yes! yes! He's an enemy of the people! He hates his country! He hates the whole people!

Aslaksen.

Both as a citizen of this town and as a human being, I am deeply shocked at what it has been my lot to hear to-night. Dr. Stockman has unmasked himself in a manner I should never have dreamt of. I must reluctantly subscribe to the opinion just expressed by some estimable citizens; and I think we ought to formulute[*sic] this opinion in a resolution. I therefore beg to move, "That this meeting declares the medical officer of the Baths, Dr. Thomas Stockmann, to be an enemy of the people." [Thunders of applause and cheers. Many form a circle round the Doctor and hoot at him. Mrs. Stockmann and Petra have risen. Morten and Eilif fight the other school-boys, who have also been hooting. Some grown-up persons separate them.