Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/77

 can find it in your heart to help on the work of corruption and ruin in this unhappy land.

Rosmer.

It is the work of emancipation I wish to help on.

Kroll.

Oh yes, I know. That is what both the tempters and their victims call it. But do you think there is any emancipation to be expected from the spirit that is now poisoning our whole social life?

Rosmer.

I am not in love with the spirit that is in the ascendant, nor with either of the contending parties. I will try to bring together men from both sides—as many as I can—and to unite them as closely as possible. I will devote my life and all my energies to this one thing—the creation of a true democracy in this country.

Kroll.

So you don't think we have democracy enough already! For my part it seems to me we are all in a fair way to be dragged down into the mire, where hitherto only the mob have been able to thrive.

Rosmer.

That is just why I want to awaken the democracy to its true task.

Kroll.

What task?

Rosmer.

That of making all the people of this country noble-men.